Tawam Hospital offers modern endo-vascular treatment to UAE's aortic aneurism patients

The Endo-Vascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) treatment, which is considered worldwide as one of the most advanced and innovative treatments in the field of vascular surgery, will be administered by the vascular team of Tawam Hospital's Department of Surgery.

"This is big breakthrough in Tawam Hospital's continuous efforts to expand and improve the provision of health care in the UAE and the rest of the region. EVAR offers a big relief to many patients as treatment is minimally invasive and is very unlikely to lead to serious complications compared to traditional open surgery techniques," said Dr. Haitham Hassoun, Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Johns Hopkins Hospital who will lead Tawam's pioneering vascular team.

Vascular surgeons Dr. Antoni Potemkowski and Dr. Manar Trab, and international radiologist Dr. Ayman Saleh complete Tawam's vascular team, which will work together to refine and perfect the EVAR technique.

"Tawam Hospital, in conjunction with Johns Hopkins Medicine International, is proud to introduce this technique to the UAE as this will be a tremendous benefit to patients in the country and GCC region. We have great confidence in the competency of Dr. Haitham Hassoun and his widely experienced vascular team. Their impeccable track record means that our patients are in good hands. It greatly motivates us to know that each time Tawam Hospital makes a significant progress in health care provision, more people's lives can be saved," said Mr. Michael Heindel, CEO of Tawam Hospital.

A pioneer vascular surgeon in the EVAR technique, Dr. Hassoun joined the surgical faculty of the Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2005. He completed his Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Fellowship in the Division of Vascular Surgery at the Northwestern University in Chicago, USA, and received his General Surgery Training in the Department of Surgery at the University of Texas - Houston Medical School.

"The introduction of the EVAR technique at Tawam Hospital by Assistant Professor Dr. Hassoun bears testimony to our commitment to broaden the scope of our health care services. It also demonstrates the deepening relationship and medical collaboration between the two hospitals," said Dr. Jack Borders, Director of Global Services, Johns Hopkins International.

The traditional method of aortic aneurysm repair involves a large incision and extended stays at the hospital. EVAR is a procedure that requires only small incisions in the groin along with the use of X-ray guidance and specially-designed instruments to repair the aneurysm.