King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Saudi Arabia has launched a therapeutic program to remove affected areas in the oral cavity and restore vital functions and appearance during a single surgical operation. After this operation, the patient spends about ten days in the hospital, reducing the treatment journey that traditionally extends over three years, during which the patient undergoes multiple surgeries to achieve the same outcome. This represents a significant leap in the patient experience and improvement in the quality of life for both the patient and their family, marking the first initiative of its kind in the Middle East.
The program relies on the latest technology in "virtual three-dimensional surgical planning," characterized by precise measurements of the face and jaws, dental occlusion, and implant placement to achieve the best possible outcome in restoring the vital functions of the jaws, mouth, teeth, and tongue.
The importance of the therapeutic program lies in its ability to reduce the negative effects of multiple surgeries over three consecutive years on the patient's quality of life and mental health, as well as the implications for their family environment, in addition to minimizing the need for frequent hospital visits.
Implementing the removal and reconstruction in one surgical operation requires the integration of several medical departments to develop a customized treatment plan for the patient. So far, "the specialist hospital" has completed all necessary examinations for twelve cases in preparation for the removal and reconstruction operation within the new program.
Recently, "Specialized Jeddah" successfully performed jaw reconstruction and compensation for missing surrounding parts in three cases, led by oral and maxillofacial surgery consultant Dr. Dhafir Al-Suwaid. One of the patients was a woman in her thirties who had three-quarters of her lower jaw removed due to a cancerous tumor. The medical team successfully reconstructed her jaw by taking a section of the patient's lateral leg bone, reshaping it to fit her lower jaw measurements, stabilizing it, compensating for the lost surrounding tissues, and implanting teeth, all conducted in a single operation that lasted approximately ten hours.
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center is recognized globally for providing specialized healthcare, pioneering innovation, and is an advanced center for research and medical education. It aims to develop medical technologies and improve healthcare standards worldwide, in partnership with major local, regional, and international institutions to deliver world-class service in clinical, research, and educational fields.
