RIYADH: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) in Saudi Arabia has successfully treated multiple patients with below-the-knee peripheral artery stenosis and occlusion performing a minimally invasive procedure that avoids the need for open surgery.
The technique involves inserting a next-generation bioresorbable stent through a fine catheter in the thigh, eliminating the need for open surgery, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Tuesday.
This innovative approach restores blood flow to the limbs, relieves pain, promotes the healing of chronic wounds, and significantly lowers the risk of amputation.
With this milestone, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) has become the first centre in Saudi Arabia and the third worldwide outside the United States to adopt this advanced treatment method.
The cutting-edge technique, now available at KFSHRC in both Riyadh and Jeddah, uses a bioresorbable stent to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels and temporarily restore circulation.
Once its job is done, the stent naturally dissolves, eliminating the need for a permanent implant and reducing the risk of long-term complications.
This minimally invasive procedure also enhances recovery, improves blood flow in the legs, and helps patients regain mobility more quickly and effectively.
The success of this procedure was driven by the Interventional Radiology Department at KFSHRC in Riyadh and Jeddah, in collaboration with the Vascular Surgery departments and nursing teams, demonstrating KFSHRC’s commitment to integrated patient care.
Building on this achievement, KFSHRC plans to expand research into this technique and collaborate with leading global medical institutions to assess its long-term effectiveness.
These efforts aim to support the development of new treatment protocols for peripheral vascular diseases.
