JHAH conducts first robotic rectal surgery of its kind in Eastern Province

A surgical team at JHAH conducted the region’s first robotic Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS). The case was later presented at a meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

A team of surgeons at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH) has successfully completed the first robotic rectal surgery of its kind in the Eastern Province.

They conducted a robotic Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS) to remove a 14 cm tumor from the rectum of a cancer patient.

Robotic TAMIS is a highly specialized surgical technique that can be used to remove small, early-stage cancers and large polyps from the rectum. With TAMIS, surgeons do not make a single incision anywhere on the patient’s body.

The surgery was led by Dr. Haytham Sumrien, a consultant laparoscopic and robotic colorectal surgeon at JHAH, who is recognized as a pioneer in the field of robotic TAMIS. Dr. Sumrien previously authored a study into the use of TAMIS in removing rectal tumors, which was published in Anticancer Research, a leading medical journal.

“Robotic TAMIS can be a savior for patients who suffer from early-stage rectal tumors or large polyps,” Dr. Sumrien said. “It prevents the unnecessary removal of their rectum, which is an incredibly important and sensitive part of the digestive system. The patient can also avoid major resection surgery and the need for a stoma bag.”

Robotic TAMIS involves inserting a tube-like “gel port” through the anus into the rectum, through which a camera and other robotic surgical tools are inserted. With the help of a robot, the surgeon uses these tools to locate the tumor, remove it, and close the defect in the rectum, without making any incisions in the abdomen.

Dr. Sumrien said: “The best-case scenario for the patient is that they arrive at the hospital in the morning, have the operation, and return home before dinner time. There is less pain, and they suffer no scarring from abdominal incisions.”

Dr. Akram Aljahdali, Chief of General and Pediatric Surgery at JHAH, said: “The robotic surgery program at JHAH is running at full speed. We are constantly adding new, innovative techniques to our repertoire as we seek to bring the most advanced care to our patients. We are proud to be offering robotic TAMIS at JHAH.”

The robotic TAMIS case at JHAH was presented to a meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons in May this year.

Learn more about colorectal surgery at JHAH.