SANDAKAN: Hospital Duchess of Kent (HDOK) has achieved another milestone in Sabah’s healthcare service after successfully performing its first “Free Flap” surgery recently, marking a significant achievement in oral and maxillofacial surgery in eastern Sabah.
The complex procedure involved a young male patient who had been suffering from a tumour in the left lower jawbone, known as Ameloblastoma, for more than five years. The growing tumour had reportedly affected his daily life.
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During the approximately 15-hour operation, the specialist team successfully removed a 400gm tumour before reconstructing the patient’s jawbone using bone taken from his own leg, assisted by computer-aided surgical planning technology.
The success was the result of collaborative expertise from the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Departments across Sabah, involving several major hospitals in the State.
The surgical team was led by Dr Jeremy Lee Ju Kuan, together with specialists Dr Azuriyati, Dr Rubindran Muthusamy, Dr Ahmad Fadhli Badruddin, Dr Steve Maisi and Dr Komalam Mugunam.
Appreciation was also extended to the anaesthesia team for their meticulous patient management throughout the procedure, as well as sponsors who contributed meals for the surgical team during the breaking of fast.
The patient is now reported to be in good health and highly satisfied with the outcome of the treatment received.
The achievement is expected to pave the way for more advanced medical treatments in Sabah for the benefit of the people of the state.
