The Kenyatta National Hospital has announced the success of a surgery performed on a minor suffering from gigantomastia, which removed 20.86kg from her breast, the heaviest in the world.
In a statement on Wednesday, October 22, the level-six facility revealed that the removed tissue amounted to 37 per cent of the girl's total body weight.
"A team of dedicated surgeons and medical staff at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has given a 17-year-old girl the gift of a normal life," the statement read in part.
"In a landmark procedure believed to be the largest of its kind in the world, the team successfully removed 20.86 kilograms of breast tissue from Lydia, who suffered from a severe and rare condition known as gigantomastia."
The September 22 surgery was led by Dr Benjamin Wabwire, Head of Specialised Surgery and Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at KNH and took 11 hours.
Gigantomastia is a rare medical condition characterised by the excessive and often rapid growth of breast tissue, either in one or both breasts and is almost always non-cancerous. The condition can cause significant physical and emotional distress for those affected.
It can be puberty-induced, where the rapid growth occurs during adolescence; pregnancy-induced, due to hormonal changes; drug-induced, by medications like D-penicillamine; or most commonly, idiopathic, which means there is no identifiable cause for the excessive growth.
The teenager had reportedly lived with the condition for 18 months, and it had led her to leave school, as walking and even standing up straight had become a struggle.
"The weight is now over. I feel free, lighter, and ready to return to school. I can finally live the life I was meant to live and follow my dream of becoming a high school teacher," the girl was quoted after the surgery.
The gigantomastia had caused extreme, rapid breast growth, leading to chronic pain, skin infections, and profound emotional distress.
Speaking after the surgery, Dr Wabwire termed the success of the surgery as a restoration of the patient's dignity
"This was more than a surgical success; it was the restoration of a young woman's dignity and future," he stated.
"Our team at KNH proved that with world-class skill and deep compassion, we can overcome even the most extreme medical challenges. We are not just treating conditions; we are transforming lives."
Dr Wabwire was joined by renowned experts, including Professor Lew and Dr Kim from South Korea's Yonsei University, as well as KNH's Dr Claire Odero, Dr Agnes Wanjiru, and Dr Joy Mwangi.
The anaesthesia team was led by Dr Eileen Towett and Dr Hellen Mwari, while the nursing team was led by Esther Munga and Eun Jin Chae, who provided critical care throughout her journey.
