The Long Road Of Obstacles To Life-Saving Surgery For a 41-Year-Old Gaza Resident

MR. MAGAD GAROUR, A 41-YEAR-OLD RESIDENT OF GAZA WHO IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS HAS BEEN SUFFERING FROM A VERY SERIOUS CASE OF CROHN'S DISEASE WHICH LED TO A DECREASE IN THE FUNCTIONING OF THE KIDNEYS, WAS OPERATED ON RECENTLY IN THE SURGICAL AND TRANSPLANT DEPARTMENT AT SHEBA MEDICAL CENTER, A PROCEDURE WHICH SAVED HIS LIFE.

The Head of the Department, Professor Amram Ayalon explains, "The patient arrived here months ago suffering from a very low nutritional level as a result of a serious case of Crohn's Disease and serious impairment of renal function. The patient was hospitalized and over the course of a few weeks was fed artificially until his condition stabilized.

Once the patient was stabilized, we decided to operate thereby increasing his chances of survival. When the patient heard about the possibility of surgery, he decided to return to Gaza. The patient returned to Gaza for a period of six weeks during which time we had no idea of his condition. The patient then returned to our department, again in a physically declined condition. Over the last three weeks, he has again been fed artificially in order to stabilize his condition.

After much debate and an inclination towards not operating in light of his declined renal condition, we decided to go ahead and try to do everything possible to ensure a successful surgical outcome in light of the fact that it was clear that without surgical intervention, the patient would die.

Finally, Magad Garour underwent surgery. During the operation, a small piece of  intestine was cut which will enable him to eat and will almost certainly also put an end to the problematic condition in the kidney."