A team of surgeons at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has transformed the life of a 17-year-old girl by performing a surgery believed to be the largest gigantomastia procedure in the world.
According to a statement shared on October 22, the KNH team successfully removed 20.86 kilograms of breast tissue, freeing her from a rare and severe condition called gigantomastia.
“A team of dedicated surgeons and medical staff at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has given a 17-year-old girl the gift of a normal life,” read part of the statement.
“In a landmark procedure believed to be the largest of its kind in the world, the team successfully removed 20.86 kilograms of breast tissue.”
KNH Surgeons Remove 20.86kg of Breast Tissue from a Teenager
The 11-hour surgery, conducted on September 22, 2025, removed tissue equivalent to 37% of her total body weight, a burden she had carried for 18 months.
Her condition caused rapid and extreme breast growth, resulting in chronic pain, skin infections, and emotional distress that disrupted her studies and daily life.
“I feel free, lighter, and ready to return to school,” the patient said. “I can finally live the life I was meant to live and pursue my dream of becoming a high school teacher.”
The girl’s mother recounted the family’s journey.
“I watched my daughter disappear under the weight of this illness. KNH didn’t just treat her; they gave me back my daughter. They have given her a second chance at life,” she said.
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Team of Surgeons
The surgery was led by Dr. Benjamin Wabwire, Head of Specialized Surgery and Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at KNH.
“This was more than a surgical success; it was the restoration of a young woman’s dignity and future,” he said.
The multidisciplinary team included Professor Lew and Dr. Kim from South Korea’s Yonsei University, alongside KNH surgeons Dr. Claire Odero, Dr. Agnes Wanjiru, and Dr. Joy Mwangi.
The anesthesia team was led by Dr. Eileen Towett and Dr. Hellen Mwari, while the nursing team, under Esther Munga and Eun Jin Chae, provided critical care throughout the procedure.
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KNH CEO, Dr. Richard Lesiyampe, CBS, hailed the procedure as a milestone for Kenya’s medical sector.
“World-class medical breakthroughs are happening right here. We are solving local health challenges with global standards and a deeply human touch,” he said.
The teenage girl has since been discharged and is recuperating at home, with plans to resume her education in January 2026.
“This groundbreaking achievement highlights KNH’s role as a beacon of medical excellence in Africa and beyond, where expertise and empathy converge to restore dignity, hope, and health,” ended the statement.
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