Khoula Hospital in Muscat has achieved a significant milestone by successfully performing the first one-day bariatric surgery in the Sultanate of Oman. This groundbreaking operation, a gastric bypass surgery, was carried out in the day care department for an obese patient who was admitted and discharged on the same day.
Dr. Badr bin Aflah Al Hadrami, a renowned consultant in obesity and upper gastrointestinal surgery at Khoula Hospital, emphasized that this particular surgery is the first of its kind to be performed as a one-day procedure at the hospital. He further explained that bariatric surgeries, which are considered major procedures, are typically performed laparoscopically.
Dr. Al Hadrami also highlighted that one-day bariatric surgeries have been approved and successfully implemented in many countries. This approach involves continuous patient follow-up and the adoption of a rapid recovery system, which enables a significant reduction in waiting lists and allows for a higher number of surgeries to be performed each week.
Dr. Alia Bint Ali Al Balushi, the Head of the Day Care Department, emphasized that the surgery was conducted under the supervision of a specialized medical team consisting of obesity surgeons, anesthesiologists, and a team of dedicated nurses. The increasing popularity of day care operations, also known as day operations, has been observed globally over the past two decades.
Al Balushi clarified that day care operations were previously limited to healthy patients undergoing simple procedures. However, due to advancements in surgical techniques and anesthesia, it has now expanded to include a wider range of patients and more complex surgeries.
Dr. Rashid bin Mohammed Al Alawi, the Director General of the General Directorate of Khoula Hospital, emphasized that the success of such operations reflects the significant progress achieved by the medical services at Khoula Hospital. He highlighted that the activation of the day care department is part of the hospital's plan to reduce appointment waiting times and surgical lists. This initiative aligns with the Ministry of Health's overall strategy to enhance the quality of healthcare services.
It is important to note that the day care department at Khoula Hospital now offers one-day operations in various specialized medical fields, including general surgery, plastic surgery, ear and throat procedures, and dental surgeries for children under full anesthesia. The primary objective is to minimize waiting lists for appointments and surgical procedures.
