A 40-year-old Filipino patient, Jesy Garcia Basilio, has successfully undergone a complex surgery in Dubai to remove a rare, non-cancerous jaw tumor. Treated at Aster Hospital Mankhool—one of the UAE’s top-ranked hospitals—the procedure used advanced microvascular surgery to address ameloblastoma, a rare jaw tumor that affects only 0.5 cases per million people globally each year.
Mr. Basilio had been living with the condition for several years, but in the past six months, the tumor grew rapidly to 8 cm in size—comparable to a cricket ball—causing severe pain, difficulty in eating and drinking, and speech discomfort. Seeking relief, he turned to Aster Hospital Mankhool, where a multidisciplinary team of specialists undertook a complex surgical procedure to remove part of his jaw and reconstruct it using a section of bone from his leg.
Dr. Renju Prem, Specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Aster Hospital Mankhool, led the surgical team alongside Dr. Rajkumar Ramachandran, Consultant in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Describing the procedure, Dr. Prem said, “We are proud to have successfully treated this rare and complex condition. Mr. Garcia’s case required careful planning and collaboration across multiple disciplines. The use of advanced techniques like microvascular fibula flap reconstruction ensured that we could restore the jaw’s functionality and provide him with a better quality of life.”
The surgery involved removing the affected portion of the jaw and replacing it with a segment of the fibula, the smaller of the two bones in the leg. This technique preserved both function and aesthetics, allowing for better healing. Dr. Ramachandran explained, “This technique involves transferring a segment of the fibula along with its blood vessels, which are connected to the blood vessels in the neck region using microvascular techniques. The fibula flap ensured functional and aesthetic restoration while maintaining the blood supply, which is essential for healing.”
The procedure required meticulous planning and execution, followed by intensive post-operative care, including monitoring in the ICU and regular follow-ups. Mr. Basilio has since regained the ability to eat, drink, and speak without discomfort, significantly improving his quality of life.
Expressing his gratitude, he shared, “I cannot thank Dr. Renju Prem, Dr. Rajkumar Ramachandran, and the entire team at Aster Hospital Mankhool enough. Their expertise and care have given me my life back. The pain and changes in my appearance were devastating, but today, I feel like myself again.”
