Sana'a: The seventh Scientific Conference on Plastic, Reconstructive, and Burn Surgery began on Wednesday in Dhamar Governorate. The two-day event is organized by the Yemeni Association of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Burn Surgeons, in partnership with Al-Riyada International Hospital in Dhamar.
According to Yemen News Agency, the conference is attended by 400 doctors, specialists, and academics, featuring 45 scientific papers covering the latest developments in the fields of plastic, reconstructive, and burn surgery. During the opening ceremony, attended by the President of Dhamar University, Dr. Mohammed Al-Haifi, and Deputy Governors Mohammed Abdulrazzaq and Mahmoud Al-Jabeen, Dr. Abdulwahab Saeed, Deputy Minister of Health and Environment for Health Administration and Quality Control, described medical scientific conferences as platforms for exchanging expertise and successful experiences.
Dr. Saeed emphasized the importance of this conference, which focuses on burn, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgery. He noted that the role of plastic and reconstructive surgeons extends beyond prescribing medications or performing operations to encompass a sense of benevolence and mercy. Dr. Saeed explained that burn victims with disfigurements often hide from public view and need humane gestures that restore their self-confidence and bring smiles to their faces. He stressed the importance of expanding scientific research to develop solutions for challenges in various sectors, providing a model that contributes to the advancement of the nation.
Dr. Nasr Al-Qudsi, a member of the Medical Council, highlighted the role of medical conferences in promoting knowledge exchange, keeping up with the latest developments, sharing opinions, and applying best professional practices. He affirmed the Council's commitment to organizing such scientific conferences across all medical specialties, including reconstructive, cosmetic, and burn surgery, and encouraging medical associations to actively engage in research and knowledge exchange.
Dr. Al-Qudsi praised the Yemeni Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons for hosting this conference and their efforts to advance their specialties through scientific meetings, presenting modern studies, research, and techniques, especially given the increasing number of casualties resulting from attacks in several Yemeni areas. He noted that the Medical Council gives attention to such events by participating, supervising, and accrediting them for continuous medical education, as they provide knowledge that improves performance, reduces medical errors, and minimizes complications.
Dr. Mohammed Al-Shaibi, the conference chairman, stated that the event brings together specialists in plastic, reconstructive, and burn surgery, along with other medical fields, to exchange experiences and review the latest developments and techniques to enhance the quality of patient care. He emphasized the importance of the conference coinciding with the graduation of a new cohort of students in plastic, reconstructive, and burn surgery, praising the preparatory and scientific committees, Al-Riyada International Hospital for hosting, and the supporting companies and hospitals.
Dr. Yahya Al-Siyaghi, President of the Yemeni Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, highlighted the conference's significance and the Ministry of Health's efforts in establishing the National Burn Center and branch centers in several governorates, as well as plans to open a Burn and Cosmetic Center in Dhamar in coordination with Dhamar General Hospital, and another at Al-Samad Hospital in Ibb, with the goal of creating centers across the country to treat burns, cosmetic issues, tumors, and congenital deformities free of charge.
Dr. Abdo Al-Hasmani, Chairman of Al-Riyada International Hospital, expressed pride in hosting this assembly of expert minds, emphasizing that medical progress is measured not by equipment or buildings, but by knowledge exchange and hands that heal and inspire hope. He stressed that the hospital views cosmetic surgery not as a luxury but as a humanitarian mission and therapeutic art that restores life and self-confidence.
In a statement on behalf of Yemeni board graduates in burn, cosmetic, and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Ayman Ghanem outlined the conference's objectives to exchange expertise and elevate performance according to international scientific standards, aiming to reduce surgical complications in the fields of plastic, reconstructive, and burn surgery. He noted the growing demand for these specialties and Yemen's abundance of qualified professionals capable of innovation and excellence.
The conference presents medical case studies in plastic, reconstructive, and burn surgery, including clinical evaluation of facial fat transfer, hair loss diagnosis, rhinoplasty, abdominoplasty with liposuction, wound healing, the use of dual-laser systems in lip surgery, breast lifts to minimize vertical scars in macromastia cases, the role of laboratory indicators in early detection of infections after reconstructive, cosmetic surgeries, and restoration to normal function.
It also addresses the role of artificial intelligence in cosmetic surgery, advances in breast reconstruction post-partial or total mastectomy, strategies to reduce complications, effective first aid for burn injuries, nutritional support practices in US and Australian burn units, infection control and its impact on burn patient mortality, early versus delayed excision and grafting in burn management, skin substitutes, hand and finger contracture management, vaginal reconstruction for ambiguous genitalia, and surgical approaches.
Additionally, the conference reviews multidisciplinary protocols for limb transplantation, the latest trends in microsurgery, and topics including congenital fusion of the upper and lower jaws, head and neck anatomy, and reconstruction of hard and soft tissue defects after benign and malignant tumor removal in the jaws.