KNH makes history by performing Africa's first tubeless windpipe surgery
Originally published by Citizen Digital — Read the original article →
Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has made medical history after successfully performing Africa’s first-ever tubeless tracheal reconstruction, an advanced procedure to repair the windpipe without a conventional breathing tube obstructing the surgical field.
In a statement on Friday, the five-hour operation was performed on September 24, 2026, at KNH’s Prime Care Centre on 26-year-old Dennis Kaiser Omondi, who had struggled with breathing difficulties for nearly 20 years.
The procedure was led by consultant cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon Dr Joseph Mutie, working alongside ear, nose and throat specialist Dr Ruel Maina and consultant anaesthesiologist and intensivist Dr Caroline Abuya.
