Frontier Correspondent
Nairobi, Kenya.
In a historic medical breakthrough, surgeons at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) have successfully performed what is believed to be the world’s largest breast reduction surgery, removing 20.86 kilograms of tissue from a 17-year-old girl suffering from gigantomastia — a rare condition that causes excessive breast growth.
The 11-hour procedure, conducted on September 22, 2025, and announced by KNH on Wednesday, has given the teenager a new lease on life after more than a year of debilitating pain, skin infections, and emotional distress.
The girl’s condition began in early 2024 when her breasts started growing rapidly, eventually accounting for 37% of her body weight. The growth caused chronic pain and mobility challenges that forced her to abandon her dream of becoming a teacher and drop out of school.
“The weight stole her confidence and her future,” said her mother, who accompanied her throughout her treatment journey. After months of frustration, a referral from Garissa County Referral Hospital to KNH finally offered hope.
The complex surgery was led by Dr. Benjamin Wabwire, Head of Specialized Surgery and Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at KNH, supported by a multidisciplinary team of Kenyan and South Korean specialists. The team included Professors Lew and Kim from Yonsei University in South Korea, alongside KNH’s Dr. Claire Odero, Dr. Agnes Wanjiru, and Dr. Joy Mwangi. Anesthesia was managed by Dr. Eileen Towett and Dr. Hellen Mwari, with nursing support from Esther Munga and Eun Jin Chae.
“This was more than a surgical success — it was the restoration of a young woman’s dignity and future,” said Dr. Wabwire. “Our team at KNH has shown that with world-class skill and compassion, we can overcome even the most extraordinary medical challenges,” he added.
KNH confirmed that the operation has set a global record for gigantomastia surgery on a teenager.
Now recovering at her home in Mwingi, Kitui County, the girl expressed her relief and happiness. “The weight is gone. I feel free, lighter, and ready to return to school,” said the teenager. She plans to resume her studies in January 2026, rekindling her dream of becoming a teacher.
“The team at KNH saw the girl, not just the condition. They gave me back my daughter,” said her mother.
“This milestone demonstrates that world-class medical breakthroughs are happening right here in Kenya,” said Acting KNH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Richard Lesiyampe.
The record-setting operation underscores KNH’s emergence as a regional center of excellence in specialized healthcare, and positions Kenya as a growing leader in medical innovation and reconstructive surgery across Africa.
“Beyond the science, this was a story of hope, and of what can happen when medicine meets humanity,” said Dr. Wabwire.