The surgical team was led by consultant otolaryngologist Dr. Ameen Al-Herabi, orthopedic and spinal surgeon Dr. Salah Fallatah and plastic surgeon Dr. Jarir Al-Khaledi.

“The patient started suffering from the tumor in 2001 when a removal surgery was performed on him in Jordan,” said Al-Herabi.

“He then underwent another surgery in Saudi Arabia in 2008 after the tumor grew again in the same place. The tumor hindered Al-Yassini’s neck movement and was becoming noticeable as it had grown bigger over the past two years.” The surgery was divided into three major stages. Al-Herabi’s team was in charge of the head and neck oncologic tumor resection.

Fallatah’s team then took over for the cervical spine laminectomy and instrumentation and iliac bone graft. Al-Khaledi’s team completed the operation by performing a muscle flap reconstruction.

“These kinds of complicated surgeries are only done in specialized hospitals and centers since they need special preparation,” Al-Herabi added.

“It depends on the full cooperation of the medical team, starting with an accurate diagnosis, planning the surgery, anesthesia and the surgery itself. The surgical teams alternated with each other to perform the part that suited their specialty and expertise.”

Al-Yassini was understandably delighted after the success of the operation.  “I have undergone 18 surgeries in my life and was treated in many hospitals in the Kingdom and abroad, but I have never been given such care and never felt as comfortable as now,” he said. The patient was able to go home after spending six days in hospital.