KNH Completes Historic Surgery By Removing Over 20kg Of Body Tissue From Minor

In a groundbreaking medical feat that’s capturing global attention, doctors at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) have restored a 17-year-old girl’s life after performing what is believed to be the largest breast reduction surgery ever recorded — removing a staggering 20.86 kilograms of tissue.

The patient, Lydia Musivi, had been battling gigantomastia, a rare condition that causes abnormal and uncontrollable breast growth. For 18 months, the teenager from Kitui County lived under an unbearable physical and emotional burden that forced her to drop out of school.

By the time she arrived at KNH, the excess breast tissue made up nearly 37 per cent of her body weight — a condition that caused chronic pain, infections, and mental distress.

“The weight is now over. I feel free, lighter, and ready to return to school,” Lydia said with a relieved smile. “I can finally live the life I was meant to live and follow my dream of becoming a teacher.”

A photo collage of the Emergency Wing of the Kenyatta National Hospital and an insert of a teenager suffering from gigantomastia, October 22, 2025. /KNH

The 11-hour surgery, carried out on September 22, 2025, was led by Dr. Benjamin Wabwire, KNH’s Head of Specialized Surgery and Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. He described the operation as “more than a surgical success — it was the restoration of a young woman’s dignity and future.”

Dr. Wabwire’s team worked alongside renowned visiting experts Professor Lew and Dr. Kim from South Korea’s Yonsei University, as well as KNH specialists Dr. Claire Odero, Dr. Agnes Wanjiru, and Dr. Joy Mwangi.

The complex anaesthesia was managed by Dr. Eileen Towett and Dr. Hellen Mwan, while senior nurses Ms. Esther Munga and Ms. Eun Jin Chae led the nursing team.

According to KNH officials, the surgery tested the limits of human endurance and medical precision. Lydia’s recovery has been described as remarkable. She has since been discharged and is recuperating at her home in Mwingi, Kitui County, ahead of her planned return to school in January 2026.

Her mother, Naomi Mutendwa, could barely hold back tears while recounting their journey. “I watched my daughter disappear under the weight of this illness. It stole her confidence and her future. We felt hopeless until KNH stepped in. They didn’t just treat her; they gave me back my daughter," she remarked.

KNH’s Acting CEO, Dr. Richard Lesiyampe, CBS, said the hospital’s achievement is proof that Kenya’s medical expertise can rival the world’s best. “This milestone demonstrates that world-class medical breakthroughs are happening right here in Kenya. We are solving local health challenges with global standards of care and compassion,” he said.

Medical experts note that gigantomastia remains one of the most challenging reconstructive conditions to manage — often requiring multidisciplinary collaboration and significant post-surgery care.

Also Read: Details Of World's First One-of-a-Kind Surgery Done At KNH

KNH’s successful handling of the case has drawn praise from across Africa’s medical community and is expected to feature in upcoming global medical conferences.

The case has also reignited conversations around access to specialized health care in Kenya and the need to strengthen public hospitals to handle rare, high-risk procedures.

For many observers, it’s a reminder that with the right investment, African hospitals can become centers of excellence — not just for the continent, but for the world.

As Lydia continues to heal, her story is becoming a symbol of hope — not just for patients living with rare conditions, but for a new generation of African medics pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.