register

News & Trends - MedTech & Diagnostics

Surgical team performs Australian-first procedure in breast cancer

Health Industry Hub | March 14, 2022 |

MedTech News: Australian women diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing autologous breast reconstruction now have access to an advanced, minimally invasive surgical option at Sydney’s Westmead Private Hospital designed to offer patients better results and a faster recovery.

The surgery, a laparoscopically assisted DIEP Flap, was performed in Australia for the first time recently at Ramsay Health Care’s Westmead Private Hospital.

Autologous based breast reconstruction can be used for breast cancer patients following mastectomy. It uses healthy tissue, called a flap, from elsewhere in the body to reconstruct the breast. A DIEP flap is where the lower abdominal skin, fat and blood vessels are taken and expertly reattached to the chest using microsurgery.

The surgical team, who published on this surgical procedure in the ANZ J Surg, involved in the Australian-first procedure included Specialist Plastic Surgeons Dr Bish Soliman and Dr Varun Harish, Breast Surgeons Associate Professor James French and Dr Negin Sedaghat and General Surgeon Dr Lawrence Yuen.

Dr Bish Soliman said the revolutionary new laparoscopically assisted DIEP Flap Harvest uses laparoscopic instruments to minimise fascial incisions and consequent denervation of the abdominal wall.  

“Autologous breast reconstruction has markedly evolved since the transverse rectus abdominis muscle flap initially described in 1982,” Dr Soliman said.

“The reported advantages of a laparoscopic-assisted approach include minimising the fascial incision length and reducing both the incidence of nerve damage and the dissection process which may result in a weakened abdominal wall. It is hypothesised that this results in a quicker recovery, less pain and reduced donor-site morbidity.”

Dr Soliman said a lot of prior planning by the team was needed to ensure the best result. 

“This is a team effort, where we brainstormed the idea, looked at journal articles from overseas and came up with a plan where everyone knew their role and were able to execute it,” he said.

“It was exciting to push the envelope and evolve whilst putting patient safety first. Improving surgical interventions is key to improving surgical outcomes.”

You may also like: Stakeholder resistance drives TGA to assess next steps for medtech adverse event reporting

Cathy Watton, 51, was Dr Soliman’s first patient after being diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2021.

“When I was asked about being the first patient for this new procedure I was unsure but also quite proud,” Ms Watton said.

“Dr Soliman explained the difference between his current method and the procedure he was going to do on me. If I was to be honest, I was very nervous but I put my trust in him and his team. Today I feel great, I was never going to let breast cancer rule me.”


News & Trends - MedTech & Diagnostics

Government's claim of progress in genomics falls flat while it fails to uphold the fundamental rights of Aussies

Government’s claim of progress in genomics falls flat while it fails to uphold the fundamental rights of Aussies

Health Industry Hub | February 7, 2025 |

The government has unveiled Cancer Australia’s National Framework for Genomics in Cancer Control, a strategic plan designed to guide healthcare […]

More


News & Trends - Pharmaceuticals

Healthcare sector’s political donations: What to expect ahead of the federal election

Healthcare sector’s political donations: What to expect ahead of the federal election

Health Industry Hub | February 7, 2025 |

Ahead of the upcoming federal election, attention turns to the financial contributions to major political parties. The Australian Electoral Commission’s […]

More


News & Trends - Pharmaceuticals

'Underinvestment in gynae cancer has left critical gaps,' says ANZGOG Chair

‘Underinvestment in gynae cancer has left critical gaps,’ says ANZGOG Chair

Health Industry Hub | February 7, 2025 |

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest women’s cancer, with the latest statistics revealing a five-year survival rate of just 49%. Alarmingly, […]

More


News & Trends - MedTech & Diagnostics

Labor's one-off funding a band aid for public hospitals while private sector left in limbo

Labor’s one-off funding a band aid for public hospitals while private sector left in limbo

Health Industry Hub | February 6, 2025 |

The Federal Government has committed a one-off funding boost of $1.7 billion to public hospitals under a one-year extension to […]

More


This content is copyright protected. Please subscribe to gain access.