Doctors in Saudi Arabia used robotic surgery to treat a two-year-old boy with Hirschsprung’s disease/Photo: SPA
Doctors in Saudi Arabia performed a complex robotic surgery on a two-year-old boy who was diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s disease, a rare condition that affects how the intestines work.The child, who weighs about 10 kilograms, was treated at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Jeddah. Hirschsprung’s disease occurs when part of the colon does not contain the nerve cells needed to move waste through the body. This can lead to severe constipation and, in serious cases, intestinal obstruction.To treat this, doctors performed a procedure known as a Soave pull. In simple terms, this involves removing the part of the colon that is not working properly and attaching the healthy part so that the intestine can function normally again.
Performing this surgery on young children is not easy. The space inside a baby’s pelvis is very small, and important nerves, muscles and blood vessels are located close to the area being operated on. Any mistake can affect how your intestines work in the long term.This is where automated assistance has played a major role. The robotic system gave surgeons a clearer view and allowed them to operate with more control and precision. This made it easier to handle soft tissue and perform the procedure safely.
This case highlights how advanced technology can be used to deal with difficult medical cases, especially in children where surgical procedures are more delicate.King Faisal Specialist Hospital said that this measure reflects its continued focus on using modern medical technologies to improve treatment results.The hospital also won many international awards. It was ranked 1st in the Middle East and North Africa and 12th globally among the top 250 academic medical centers for 2026. It was also ranked as the most valuable healthcare brand in Saudi Arabia and the wider region by Brand Finance for 2025.In addition, King Faisal Specialist Hospital was listed by Newsweek magazine among the best hospitals in the world 2025, the best smart hospitals in the world 2026, and the best specialized hospitals in the world 2026.
