Egyptian surgeon receives laparoscopic surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma at AMC
Amidst the nearly 15,000 overseas patients from 90 countries visiting AMC for treatment in a year, an Egyptian surgeon with multiple tumors in the liver recently received laparoscopic surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma at AMC.
The patient named Shanann Mohamed (male, 30) found that he had five multiple hepatocellular carcinomas, including a 6 cm-sized tumor, through abdominal ultrasonography for fatty liver. Since he enjoyed body building as a hobby, he did not want to have a large scar sized over 60 cm on his abdomen and was worried about complications. Hence, he wanted to receive laparoscopic surgery. However, neither equipment nor surgeons for laparoscopic surgery were available in Egypt.
While searching for hospitals equipped to perform laparoscopic surgery in articles from doctors around the world, he discovered a paper that showed laparoscopic surgery causes fewer complications than conventional open surgery, written by Prof. Kim Ki-hun of the Department of Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery and published in the Analysis of Surgery in 2017. He also learned that Dr. Kim’s team has performed the largest number of laparoscopic surgeries for hepatocellular carcinoma in the world and contacted us through the hospital homepage. Prof. Kim Ki-hun reviewed his medical records and examination images and answered that laparoscopic surgery was possible.
The patient underwent a thorough examination at AMC and received a 7-hour long laparoscopic surgery performed by Prof. Kim Ki-hun on July 4. The surgery was successful, and multiple hepatocellular carcinomas were completely removed. The recovery was so fast that he could leave for Egypt in late July.
Mr. Shanann said, “I was worried about Korea’s completely different culture from Egypt, but I could restore energy quickly thanks to Halal meals served for Muslim patients and a prayer room. Visiting not only overseas patients but also doctors to receive treatment means that confidence in AMC is very high. I’m very thankful for Prof. Kim Ki-hun’s perfect operation and for AMC nurses and medical staff’s heartwarming care.”
Prof. Kim Ki-hun said, “The surgery took relatively long because there were multiple hepatocellular carcinomas with a lot of tumors and they were difficult to access. But, laparoscopic surgery allowed him to quickly recover from surgery. And he knew well about his medical condition as a doctor, so we could build mutual trust while developing his treatment plan, and it seemed to contribute to successful treatment.”
Prof. Kim Ki-hun of the Department of Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery (left) talks to Mr. Shanann, the Egyptian surgeon and patient who recovered after laparoscopic surgery, in his hospital room on July 10.