Saudi hospital launches minimally invasive breast cancer surgery with same-day reconstruction

A hospital in Saudi Arabia has made a surgical technique available as a permanent treatment option that removes breast tissue through a hidden incision under the armpit while rebuilding the breast in the same operation. King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH) in Madinah announced the program on June 18, 2026, following more than two years of clinical testing.

The approach, called endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy, preserves the skin, nipple, and blood supply to the breast. Because the incision is placed under the armpit rather than on the breast itself, visible scarring is significantly reduced. Surgeons then reconstruct the breast through the same small opening before the patient wakes up.

KFSH says the service is now open to all patients at the Madinah facility, with referrals accepted from anywhere in Saudi Arabia. The hospital is also accepting cases for preventive surgery in women who carry high-risk genetic mutations linked to breast and ovarian cancer.

How does it work?

The surgery uses an endoscope, a small camera-equipped tube, inserted through a short incision hidden in the armpit. This lets surgeons remove affected breast tissue without cutting across the breast itself. The key steps are:

• A small incision is made under the armpit, out of sight
• The breast tissue is removed using the endoscope
• The skin, nipple, and blood supply are kept intact throughout
• Breast reconstruction is completed through the same incision before the operation ends

Because the procedure is minimally invasive, recovery is faster than with traditional open surgery. The hospital reports an average hospital stay of no more than two days, with patients returning to daily life sooner and reporting less pain during recovery.

Why does it matter?

Breast cancer surgery has long carried a psychological weight alongside the physical one. Losing a breast, or being left with significant scarring, affects self-image and emotional recovery for many patients. This technique directly addresses that by making visible changes to the body much harder to see.

KFSH reported 26 successful cases since the program's clinical phase began in December 2023, with encouraging outcomes and high patient satisfaction. Those results were enough for the hospital to move from a trial phase to a permanent program.

The technique is available for two groups of patients:

• Women diagnosed with breast cancer who are eligible for mastectomy
• Women with high-risk genetic mutations, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, who choose preventive surgery before cancer develops

This second group is particularly important. Preventive mastectomy is an option some women pursue after genetic testing reveals a significantly elevated cancer risk, and having a less visible surgical outcome can make that decision easier to consider.

The context

KFSH in Madinah already runs a breast conservation program that has helped reduce the rate of full mastectomies in the region. This new endoscopic program sits alongside that effort, giving surgeons and patients more options depending on the clinical situation.

The Madinah hospital has 400 beds and covers specialties including adult and pediatric oncology, ophthalmology, obstetrics, and gynecology. It holds 14 training accreditations across medical and nursing disciplines.

KFSH as a broader institution ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and 12th globally among the world's top 250 academic medical centers for 2026, according to its own reporting. Brand Finance also named it the most valuable healthcare brand in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East for the same year. Newsweek listed it among the world's best hospitals, best smart hospitals, and best specialized hospitals for 2026.

Nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction has been growing in adoption globally over the past decade as surgical tools and techniques have improved. Performing it endoscopically, through a remote incision rather than directly on the breast, is a newer refinement that fewer centers currently offer. KFSH making it a standard option puts the hospital among a relatively small group of facilities worldwide with this capability in routine clinical use.