A medical team at Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital has successfully performed Kuwait’s first endoscopic bile drainage procedure, eliminating the need for open surgery. The procedure was performed on a Kuwaiti patient who was discharged without complications, according to the Ministry of Health.
The technique creates a connection between the bile ducts inside the liver and the stomach using ultrasound guidance. This allows bile to drain and enables the patient to begin chemotherapy. The procedure became necessary after conventional methods, including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and interventional radiology, failed to bypass a cancerous obstruction in the bile ducts.
Dr. Yousef Al-Shamali, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy Specialist, led the procedure with a multidisciplinary team including gastroenterologists, nurses, anesthesiologists, and liver and pancreas surgery specialists. The Ministry of Health stated the achievement reflects the development of specialized medical services in Kuwait and demonstrates the capabilities of the country’s national medical teams.
What This Means for Expats: This advancement means expats in Kuwait now have access to cutting-edge endoscopic procedures locally, reducing the need for medical travel abroad for complex bile duct treatments.
Source: Times of Kuwait
Add a comment