Pioneering surgery in UAE spares Emirati man, 38, lifelong incontinence

Dubai: A 38-year-old Emirati man has been spared a lifetime of incontinence after undergoing a rare and highly complex endoscopic procedure at a hospital in the UAE.

The patient, who had suffered for years from rectal bleeding, pain, and chronic constipation caused by Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome (SRUS), was treated at Medcare Royal Specialty Hospital in Dubai using a minimally invasive approach that avoided the need for open surgery — and the risk of incontinence. Incontinence refers to the inability to control bowel or bladder movements, which can significantly affect quality of life.

Endoscopic removal, suturing

The hospital claims that it is the first-ever full-thickness endoscopic rectal tumour removal followed by advanced endoscopic hand suturing conducted globally.

The groundbreaking full-thickness Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD), followed by advanced endoscopic suturing, was carried out by Dr Mohamed Abdelhafez, Head of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy at Medcare Royal, and Associate Professor of Gastroenterology at the Technical University of Munich, Germany.

Dr Abdelhafez successfully removed an ulcerated tumour located dangerously close to the anal sphincter, using microscopic precision and the SutuArt endoscopic hand suturing system to close the resection site. This method preserved full muscle function, allowing the patient to retain continence and avoid the risks associated with traditional surgery.