Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 7 May 2012 A Mafraq Hospital surgical team performed a complex reconstructive surgical procedure on a patient's hip that involved implanting veins and other soft tissue to restore mobility to the patient and close an infected wound.  The patient recovered and is now ambulatory again.

Mafraq Hospital is part of the SEHA HealthSystemand is owned, operated and managed by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) which is responsible for all the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Reconstructive surgery involves implanting soft tissue and veins in order to avoid possible post-operative complications such as wound inflammation and blood clots. These high-precision types of surgery are used to heal wounds as well as transfer and implant soft tissue and veins - and the meticulousness required is similar to that of microscopic surgical procedures. 

Dr. Muqdad al-Hammadi, a German Board of Plastic Surgery-accredited professional at Mafraq Hospital said, "In this most recent case, a patient had an old, deep wound about 15 cm by 10 cm in the hip area, which caused serious complications and resulted in an inability to walk. In fact, the wound had been left open for an extended period, which caused blood clotting and severe infection. After a thorough examination, it was decided that the patient needed reconstructive surgery to close the wound. After a thorough examination and cleaning of the wound three times to remove dead tissue, it was decided that the patient needed reconstructive surgery to close the wound and avoid further complications.  We conducted the surgery under general anesthesia, implanted soft tissue and veins in the affected area and successfully closed the wound.

Dr. Al-Hammadi added, "This type of surgery has been performed in Europe since 1995. These surgeries are, however, considered a rarity in the UAE given the lack of experienced surgeons doing soft tissue and vein implant work."

Dr. Mohammed Yaman, Chief Medical Officer at Mafraq Hospital, said, "Mafraq Hospital seeks to attract the best physicians. Thus, not only is the hospital's equipment highly sophisticated but the physicians are experienced, professional, internationally accredited and competent in their fields. In fact, a surgeon requires intense training in removing soft tissue and veins without causing damage to these structures and re-implanting them in the relevant location. Usually the success rate of reconstructive surgery depends upon a surgeon's competence and his or her expertise in performing these operations."

The Mafraq Hospital medical team, consisting of the plastic surgery and anesthesia departments, successfully conducted the complex surgery. The operation took four hours and the patient remained in hospital for 10 days to reach full recovery.

About Mafraq Hospital
Mafraq Hospital was presented with the Diamond Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award in May 2011 in recognition of its quest for excellence and in support of the hospital's commitment to putting customers' first, providing quality care for patients and adherence to business best practices. 

Mafraq Hospital is situated 35 kilometers south-east of the UAE's capital, Abu Dhabi. Mafraq is an Arabic word meaning 'meeting of roads,' which is an apt description of the hospital's unique location at the intersection of major roadways.

The hospital was built, and opened, in 1983 as the largest tertiary referral treatment hospital in the United Arab Emirates at the time. Mafraq Hospital remains a tertiary hospital with 427 beds and services include medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics, as well as surgical and critical care services that support the trauma program. Mafraq Hospital operates the largest burn unit in the country and is a Center of Excellence for ENT and Thoracic surgery.

Mafraq Hospital is part of the SEHA HealthSystem and is owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC (SEHA) which is responsible for the curative activities of public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Mafraq Hospital physicians are amongst the best in their specialist fields with international qualifications and world class expertise. The medical staff are supported by capable and professional nursing and paramedical staff who are well trained and motivated to provide quality healthcare services to the public. Emiratization is extremely important to Mafraq Hospital and many of the hospital's highly skilled physicians are UAE Nationals. The hospital also believes in customer service excellence and in providing quality healthcare with integrity and service excellence in a caring environment. With this in mind Mafraq Hospital launched 'Mafraq Ambassadors - We Care' which aims to make each and every one of the 2038 employee's a Customer Service Ambassador.

A new hospital will open in 2014 that will replace the current Mafraq Hospital campus. The new facility will continue to provide the service and personal care that patients have come to expect from Mafraq Hospital and will secure Mafraq Hospital's position as a leading trauma and surgery hospital. It will also serve as the community hospital for one of the fastest growing areas in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi whilst continuing to align its goals with those of the Executive Council and Abu Dhabi 2030.

www.mafraqhospital.ae

About the SEHA HealthSystem and the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC (SEHA)
SEHA is health in Arabic. The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC - whose marketing identity is SEHA - is an independent, public joint stock company created to develop the curative activities of the public healthcare system in Abu Dhabi. The company owns and operates all the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which together make up the SEHA HealthSystem. SEHA is committed to continuous improvement of customer care to recognized international standards and providing customers and communities with world-class healthcare services. SEHA has partnered with internationally recognized hospital managers to achieve these goals. These include Johns Hopkins Medicine International, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, VAMED, Medical University of Vienna and Fresenius Medical Care.  SEHA owns and operates 12 hospitals with 2,644 beds, 62 ambulatory care, family care and urgent care centers and two blood banks. SEHA is one of the largest integrated healthcare providers in the Middle East with more than 17,000 doctors, nurses, ancillary care and administrative personnel in its employ. Visit our website www.seha.ae

For media information contact:
Salwa Al Hossani
Marketing & PR Manager
Mafraq Hospital
T: +971 2 5011017
E:  shossani@mafraqhospital.ae 

© Press Release 2012