2 Medical Milestones At Kuala Lumpur Hospital

KUALA LUMPUR – KUALA Lumpur Hospital (HKL) performed a landmark operation when it became the first government hospital to perform a kidney transplant between two people with different blood groups.

On Tuesday, Urology and Nephrology surgeon Dr Murali Sundram, assisted by another surgeon from Selayang Hospital, performed the eight-hour surgery on a couple — a 32-year old woman who donated a kidney to her 41-year-old husband.

HKL’s Paediatric Department also scored an achievement on July 14 when it succeeded in separating a pair of 15-month-old conjoined twin boys, who were attached at the pelvis with three legs and a set of genitals.

Muaiman Azli and Muaimin Azli underwent a 24-hour surgery, during which their genitals were reconstructed to fit both boys. However, Muaimin was left with a leg and will be fitted with a prosthetic when he is older.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said these achievements proved the country had medical skills and expertise that were on a par with international standards. The hospital performed the country’s first organ transplant in 1975.

On the transplant, Liow said the procedure was usually performed between two people with the same blood type but it was hard to find a matched pair.

“For this reason, HKL started the ABO incompatible kidney transplant programme by local doctors, similar to the ones practised in developed countries.”

Liow said the surgery was more complex than a conventional kidney transplant as higher doses of anti-rejection drugs, plasma filtration and closer antibody level monitoring were needed.

He said the procedure was a joint effort between the Institute of Urology and Nephrology, HKL’s management, the National Blood Centre, Institute for Medical Research, and the Medical Development Division. – New Straits Times

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