On February 4, Viet Duc Hospital announced a particularly complex surgery involving scalp cancer. This rare case involved a challenging treatment journey spanning several years.
A Difficult Treatment Journey
The patient, Ms. L.T.T., 46, of the Tày ethnic group from Tuyen Quang, was previously diagnosed with scalp cancer and underwent four surgeries at another hospital. However, due to personal reasons, she couldn’t return for follow-up appointments when the disease recurred.
When the tumor spread to two-thirds of her scalp, accompanied by burning sensations and bleeding, Ms. T. finally sought treatment at Viet Duc Hospital.
According to Dr. Bui Mai Anh, Head of the Maxillofacial, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery Department, CT scans revealed that the tumor had invaded the skull, posing serious health risks.
A Complex 12-Hour Surgery
The treatment goal wasn’t just to remove the tumor but also to reconstruct the damaged scalp and skull. The surgeons performed a 12-hour operation involving multiple specialized teams.
“We had to remove the entire affected scalp, including the invaded part of the skull. Then, we used titanium material to reconstruct the skull,” explained Dr. Mai Anh.
To cover the titanium mesh, the surgeons harvested skin from the patient’s thigh using advanced microsurgery techniques. This skin was divided into flexible flaps to ensure full coverage of the skull, restoring both function and aesthetics.
Encouraging Results
More than a month post-surgery, the patient’s health has significantly improved. The wound healed well with no signs of infection. Remarkably, the patient regained both functionality and aesthetic appearance.
Dr. Mai Anh emphasized that this is one of the most complex microsurgical techniques today, requiring high precision in dissecting blood vessels and protecting small perforator branches.
Significance and Lessons Learned
This successful surgery not only brought hope to the patient but also demonstrated the high level of expertise among Vietnamese medical teams in reconstructive and microsurgery.
It also serves as an important reminder of the importance of regular health check-ups and adhering to prescribed treatment protocols to prevent dangerous complications.
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