Surgical Epic at the National Liver Institute, Menoufia University: 12 Continuous Hours Saving Complex Emergency Cases via Laparoscopy under Severe Weather Conditions
The surgical team at the National Liver Institute successfully performed a series of advanced and complex laparoscopic surgeries. The operations lasted over 12 continuous hours, defying severe weather and storms across the country, to save critically ill patients classified as “high-risk.” This medical achievement reflects the exceptional skill of the Egyptian medical staff.
The surgeries included five of the most challenging interventions due to the patients’ critical health conditions and multiple complications:
- Repair of a Ruptured Umbilical Hernia and Abdominal Wall in a patient with liver cirrhosis and severe ascites.
- Removal of a Gangrenous Gallbladder in a 73-year-old diabetic patient with gallbladder rupture and intra-abdominal abscesses; the procedure was successful, and the patient stabilized.
- Treatment of a Right Lobe Liver Abscess caused by acute cholecystitis, where the gallbladder was removed and the abscess fully drained laparoscopically.
- Rescue Surgery for a 65-Year-Old Cirrhotic Patient with gallbladder rupture and liver abscess, successfully controlled and repaired via laparoscopy.
- Rare Surgery for a Biliary-Enteric Fistula in a patient with gallbladder rupture forming a fistula between the gallbladder and duodenum, requiring removal of the gallbladder, part of the stomach and duodenum, and reconstruction of the gastrointestinal tract—performed with high precision laparoscopically.
Prof. Dr. Osama Hegazy, Dean of the National Liver Institute, praised the achievement, stating:
"What the surgical team accomplished today embodies the institute’s mission to provide the highest level of medical care even under the most challenging circumstances. Using laparoscopy for complex emergencies in patients with liver cirrhosis reduces recovery time and avoids complications from conventional surgery, which we are committed to advancing continually with the support of Menoufia University."
Dr. Ahmed Attia, Executive Director of the Institute Hospital, added:
"The hospital operates at full capacity around the clock. Successfully performing these operations amid storms demonstrates the readiness of our operating rooms, support teams, nursing, and anesthesia staff, and their unmatched ability to manage medical crises."
In the same context, Dr. Hossam Suleiman, Head of the Surgery Department, stated:
"I am proud of our team of surgeons who did not hesitate for a moment to perform their duty. Managing gallbladder rupture, fistula formation, and liver abscesses laparoscopically requires special skill, and today the team proved that the Surgery Department at the institute stands firmly in handling the most complex surgical cases."
The surgical epic involved a distinguished team of experts:
- Dr. Mohamed Blabel, Surgery Lecturer,
- Dr. Ahmed Ghelhom, Assistant Surgery Lecturer,
- Assisted by residents Dr. Mohamed Hassan and Dr. Karim Basheer.
- Anesthesia team: Dr. Abdullah Al-Saeed, Dr. Taqa Adel, and Dr. Omar Al-Hakeem.
