St Thomas’ Surgeons Clear 3-Month Breast Cancer Surgery Backlog in 5 Days
Surgeons at St Thomas’ Hospital in London have successfully cleared a three-month backlog of breast cancer surgeries in just five days. This impressive feat benefited 22 patients who had been waiting for reconstructive surgery, some for over a year. The operations were conducted using an adapted version of the High-Intensity Theatre (HIT) list method, which maximizes the number of patients treated, reducing waiting times.
The procedures focused on breast cancer patients who required reconstructive surgery or were carriers of the breast cancer gene. Due to the backlog, many of these patients had been waiting for an extended period for their much-needed surgeries. To address this, the surgical team utilized the HIT list approach, increasing staff presence in the operating theater to minimize turnaround time between cases, allowing surgeons more time to operate.
Over the course of five days, the surgical team, led by consultant plastic surgeons Pari-Naz Mohanna and Maleeha Mughal, carried out reconstructive surgeries on the patients. Nine of them underwent microsurgical reconstruction, which involves creating a new breast using the patient’s own tissue, known as an autologous flap. This intricate procedure requires disconnecting and re-connecting blood vessels from the abdomen or upper thighs to the chest using microsurgery techniques.
The success of this initiative at St Thomas’ Hospital was made possible through meticulous planning and coordination. Prior to their surgeries, patients attended a special clinic where they had comprehensive consultations with plastic surgeons, anaesthetists, and breast cancer reconstruction specialist nurses. Physiotherapists also provided valuable information about post-operative rehabilitation, ensuring the patients were well-prepared for their procedures.
Surgery lead Pari-Naz Mohanna expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, stating, We wanted to safely tackle the backlog of reconstructive surgery, whilst continuing to operate on patients with newly diagnosed breast cancers. She further added that the team was truly blessed to have the dedication and commitment of all the staff involved.
The utilization of the HIT list method allowed St Thomas’ Hospital to expedite these critical surgeries for breast cancer patients, drastically reducing the waiting time for many individuals in need of reconstruction. By adapting this approach and overcoming complex logistical challenges, the surgical team at St Thomas’ has showcased their commitment to providing high-quality care to breast cancer patients while efficiently managing the surgery backlog.
In conclusion, the successful completion of a three-month breast cancer surgery backlog in just five days highlights the dedication and expertise of the surgeons at St Thomas’ Hospital. This remarkable achievement will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the lives of the patients who had been eagerly awaiting their reconstructive surgeries.
