Surgery to remove a giant 90kg tumor.
On the morning of January 5th, a "historic" surgery was performed at FV Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City on Mr. Nguyen Duy Hai (Da Lat City, Lam Dong province), who had a giant tumor weighing nearly 90kg on his right leg.
The surgery attracted significant media attention from both domestic and international outlets.
Mr. Hai during his observation period at the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital.
- Photo: T. Duong
Dr. McKay McKinnon from the US, along with the medical team from FV Hospital, performed surgery to remove a 90kg tumor from patient Nguyen Duy Hai.
According to Dr. Gerard Desvignes, Medical Director of FV Hospital, the patient's health was suitable for surgery. However, this was a major surgery with many associated risks, including the possibility of death during and after the operation. The success rate was approximately 50%. The doctors clearly explained these risks to the patient and their family. After thorough consultation and understanding of the surgical process and associated risks, the patient and their family decided to proceed with the surgery.
The total cost of the surgery was estimated at approximately VND 420,000,000 (USD 20,000), excluding the surgeon's fee. However, FV Hospital only charged a symbolic VND 252,000,000, of which the Da Lat Red Cross contributed VND 110,000,000 and other benefactors contributed VND 142,000,000 through appeals from the media. All accommodation and travel expenses for Dr. McKay McKinnon during his one-week stay in Vietnam were covered by FV Hospital. Furthermore, Dr. McKay McKinnon did not charge the patient for the surgery. |
The surgical team included three anesthesiologists from FV Hospital, two anesthesia technicians from FV Hospital, Dr. McKay McKinnon (chief surgeon), and three general surgeons from FV Hospital: Dr. Phan Van Thai, Dr. Le Duc Tuan, and Dr. Nguyen Quoc Thai. Additionally, Dr. Gerard Desvignes, Medical Director of FV Hospital, directly supervised the surgery.
The surgery to remove the tumor is expected to last 8-10 hours, with the patient under anesthesia and with normal blood pressure. Mr. Duy Hai may need 15 to 25 units of blood. He will also require intensive care in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for at least seven days.
The entire consultation and surgical procedure were filmed live by the American television channel MorningStar Entertainment. Simultaneously, FV Hospital arranged for the surgery to be filmed and broadcast live to the auditorium on the third floor of the hospital so that doctors at FV and other hospitals could observe directly and gain experience.
Mr. Hai was taken to the operating room for anesthesia and sterile cleaning of the tumor. The doctors had to work hard to turn Mr. Hai from a supine position to a prone position. His left leg was immobilized with a rigid splint. Doctor MC Kinnon used a marker pen to draw vertical and horizontal lines on the tumor to determine the area that would be removed.
At 8:55 AM, Dr. MC Kinnon made the first incision on the tumor along the previously drawn line. The first layer of muscle was gradually exposed, extending further and deeper. By 10:00 AM, approximately 50 cm of the tumor had been dissected to a depth of 5-7 cm.
The surgery was broadcast live on screen - Photo: Minh Duc
According to Nguyen Duy Hai's family, he developed a tumor on his right leg when he was four years old. Over time, the tumor grew larger, making it impossible for him to move and causing significant inconvenience in his daily life. |
According to Tuoi Tre newspaper
