A life-saving procedure transcending national borders has been successfully completed in the ward of the Liver Transplantation Center at West China Hospital, Sichuan University (WCHSCU). Heba, a 49-year-old patient from Egypt, is now recovering steadily after undergoing surgery. "I am deeply grateful to West China Hospital," she said with heartfelt appreciation. "The expertise here is truly amazing. You have given me a second chance at life."

Seven months ago, Heba was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She sought treatment at multiple hospitals across Egypt, but nearly all declined to operate due to the extremely high surgical risk. A friend, Dr. Ahmed Elgendi—an Egyptian physician who has studied at WCH four times—recommended the hospital to her. Holding onto her final hope, Heba was admitted to the WCH Liver Transplantation Center on April 5.

Upon admission, imaging and laboratory findings suggested pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Although the tumor was not large, it had already encased the confluence of the portal vein, splenic vein, and superior mesenteric vein, and was located in close proximity to the middle colic artery. This made intraoperative vascular reconstruction exceedingly difficult.

On April 9, Professor Wu Hong, Vice President of WCH and a professor of liver surgery, led a multidisciplinary team (MDT) from the Liver Transplant Center, Pancreatic Surgery Department, Abdominal Oncology Department, and Radiology Department to conduct a comprehensive evaluation for Heba. Simultaneously, 20 hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery specialists from 11 countries—participants of the 2026 Belt & Road Minimally Invasive Liver Surgery Training Course—joined the discussion to assess the case. The team ultimately decided to perform total pancreatectomy, duodenectomy, and portal vein reconstruction. The goal was to ensure complete tumor removal while preserving the patient's quality of life.

Prior to surgery, the MDT held repeated discussions and developed a detailed surgical plan along with contingency protocols. On April 16, Professor Wu Hong's team and Professor Peng Bing's team from the Pancreatic Surgery Department jointly performed the operation, which was successfully completed in six hours. Compared with the preoperative prediction, the surgical team not only preserved the spleen and right colon but also achieved subtotal pancreatectomy. This allowed partial preservation of the patient's endocrine function.

After surgery, the Departments of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Cardiology, and Clinical Nutrition jointly managed Heba's blood glucose, blood pressure, and dietary intake. Her recovery has been steady, with all clinical parameters showing gradual improvement. At present, the patient has been weaned off parenteral nutrition and maintains good glycemic control. She is expected to be discharged soon and return to Egypt.

Training Program Builds Bridges, Benefits Patients Along Belt and Road

Heba's successful treatment is a vivid example of the outcomes made possible by WCH's Belt & Road Minimally Invasive Liver Surgery Training Course. Launched in 2023, this training initiative has become an important platform through which WCH serves China's national strategy. During the current three-week training session, 20 specialists from 11 countries completed 35 high-level surgical demonstrations, four liver transplant surgical teaching sessions, and 11 thematic lectures. The program also strengthened training in robotic and remote surgery, including four specialized sessions conducted on a telerobotic surgery platform.

Dr. Ahmed Elgendi, who has attended the training program for four consecutive years, said: "When Heba was turned down for surgery in Egypt, I advised her to come to West China Hospital. Her successful recovery will inspire more patients and physicians to come here for training. It will also help drive the adoption of such surgeries in our own country."