Department of Urology and Surgery

Dr. Albert Lalazaryan, pediatric surgeon at the Arabkir Medical Center, recently spoke with Shant TV’s Bujinfo program to address common questions about children’s bedwetting.   We encourage all parents to stay informed and attentive to every aspect of their child’s health.  

Coverage by Public TV’s “News” on the cooperation between the Arabkir Medical Center and Stony Brook University Hospital (New York), and the symposium organized within that framework.   #ArabkirMC #StonyBrook    

Our partner transplant specialists, Professor Nizam Mamode from Guy’s Hospital in London and Miriam Manook from Cambridge University Hospital, visited Arabkir Medical Center. Today, alongside the Arabkir Transplant team, they consulted a group of patients and discussed specific kidney transplantation cases.   Watch the video: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16TZCVeAAQ/

Dr. Luca Mazzone, a pediatric urologist from the University Children's Hospital Zurich, recently visited Arabkir Medical Center. Arabkir specialists, in collaboration with Dr. Mazzone and his Swiss colleague, performed a number of consultations and surgeries. This exchange of experience focused on laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children of various ages diagnosed with hydronephrosis. At Arabkir Medical Center, collaboration with leading international partners remains a core principle. We are committed to staying aligned with global advancements and ensuring that modern medical achievements are accessible to our patients. #ArabkirMC #KinderspitalZürich #ՄանկականԼապարասկոպիկՈւրոլոգիա

At just 5 days old, baby Narek was diagnosed with biliary atresia—a congenital condition involving the absence of intrahepatic bile ducts. His only chance for survival was a liver transplant. Narek was immediately placed under the care of gastroenterologist-hepatologists at the "Arabkir" Medical Center. According to protocol, he needed to grow to 7-8 kilograms—typically achieved by 6-7 months old—before he could undergo the transplant. Narek was growing well with his mother’s milk and reached the required weight. The operation was scheduled for November 1, and our dedicated team of doctors and staff prepared for the procedure. However, an unexpected turn occurred: due to an acute respiratory infection, Narek quickly developed liver failure, disrupting all prior plans. Our team faced the immense challenge of arranging the operation within hours. In what seemed improbable, everything came together. Colleagues from Minsk and Korea arrived to assist, and the transplant took place on October 29. Narek’s devoted father selflessly donated part of his liver. The surgery went smoothly, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to all the specialists involved. Currently, Narek and his doctors are navigating the challenging post-surgical journey, making progress each day with increasingly positive outcomes. During this critical time, as always, The Health Fund for Children of Armenia, led by Armen Martirosyan, stood by our side. The Fund’s financial support, made possible by generous public donations, is invaluable not only to our medical center but to our country, as the surgery costs far exceed what the state can cover. This collaboration between the state, charitable organizations, and medical institutions exemplifies the power of unity for the sake of a child's life. Thank you to everyone who contributed ❤️ Wishing health to Narek and all children ❤️

A team of doctors from Seattle Children’s Hospital, led by Professor Paul Merguerian, once again visited the "Arabkir" Medical Center as part of a tradition that has been ongoing in recent years.   The patients selected for consultation were not only from the "Arabkir" Medical Center, but also included rare and complex cases from other medical centers, such as Surb Astvatmayr Medical Center and Muratsan University Clinic.   Professor Merguerian, pediatric urologist Margarett Shnorhavorian, and pediatric surgeon, coloproctologist Caitlin Smith, collaborated with local doctors to discuss over 60 urological and surgical cases, performing nearly 30 surgeries. Many of these surgeries were rare and involved innovative approaches not commonly practiced in Armenia.   The visits of Professor Merguerian and his team serve a professional and educational purpose for all clinics in Armenia. The goal of the project is to provide an opportunity for doctors from various centers to engage in consultations with specialists from world-leading institutions and to participate in joint surgeries at the "Arabkir" Medical Center.

The remarkable work of doctors often appears almost unbelievable, yet it results in saving lives through extraordinary acts. This video from the public TV company "News" tells the story of 9-year-old Lilit and her mother, who selflessly donated her kidney to her daughter, offering her a new chance at life. This incredible achievement is a testament to the unwavering efforts and dedication of the organ transplant team at the "Arabkir" Medical Center.  

Sergey Babloyan shares insights with News.am on hydronephrosis and current surgical treatments. 

Ոչ պակաս վարպետորեն բեմում՝ ջութակով, որքան վիրահատարանում՝ նշտարով    Վայելեք Կոմիտաս՝ սիրելի վիրաբույժ, «Արաբկիր» բժշկական համալիրի ուրո-վիրաբուժական բաժանմունքի վարիչ Պողոս Ավետիսի Գեյիկյանի եւ նրա գեղեցկուհի տիկնոջ՝ դաշնակահարուհի, Կոմիտասի անվան պետական կոնսերվատորիայի եւ Բաբաջանյանի անվան երաժշտամանկավարժական քոլեջի դասախոս Նարինե Ենգիբարյանի հրաշալի կատրամամբ: Միջոցառումը նախաձեռնել էր Դիլիջանի միջազգային դպրոցի կիպրացի աշակերտուհի, 16-ամյա Անտոնիա Մարիա Զոնիայի ընտանիքը՝ Հայոց Մեծ Եղեռնի տարելիցի առիթով ցուցադրելու աղջկա լուսանկարները՝ Կիպրոսի հայկական մշակութային եւ հոգեւոր ժառանգության թեմայով: Իմանալով իրենց հայրենակցուհի, մանկական վիրաբույժ, պրոֆեսոր, հասարակական գործիչ Էլենի Թեոխարուսի՝ «Արաբկիր» ԲՀ-ի, մասնավորապես, Պողոս Գեյիկյանի եւ պրոֆեսոր Արա Բաբլոյանի հետ ունեցած ջերմ գործընկերային-բարեկամական հարաբերությունների մասին, աղջկա ընտանիքը խնդրել է բժիշկ Գեյիկյանին՝ աջակցելու միջոցառման կազմակերպչական եւ գեղարվեստական մասին: Եվ ահա, ապրիլի 21-ին Կամերային երաժշտության տուն եկած հանդիսատեսը առիթ ունեցավ ունկնդրելու Կոմիտաս, Բաբաջանյան, Միրզոյան, Բաղդասարյան, նաեւ կիպրական ավանդական երաժշտություն՝ Պողոս Գեյիկյանի, Նարինե Ենգիբարյանի, Օպերայի եւ բալետի ազգային ակադեմիական թատրոնի նվագախմբի թավջութակահար Գառնիկ Ենգիբարյանի եւ բժշկական համալսարանի 2-րդ կուրսի ուսանողուհի-ջութակահարուհի Ինեսսա Պետրոսյանի կատարմամբ:   https://www.facebook.com/ArabkirJMC/posts/pfbid027jzH5RwrehNihkstQjnLKBPk1YdHkT8DNy65w6AdyDXUTPojGVWogw3qawbebicFl

Երեխայի լյարդի փոխպատվաստման հերթական վիրահատությունն «Արաբկիր» բժշկական համալիրում բարեհաջող է անցել: Չնայած դեպքը բավական բարդ էր, քանի որ երեխան ուներ ստանդարտից դուրս հավելյալ զարկերակ, այնուամենայնիվ, հայ եւ բելառուս բժիշկների թիմին հաջողվել է 14 ժամ տեւած վիրահատությունից հետո ստանալ լավ արդյունք: 12-ամյա տղան իրեն լավ է զգում, գտնվում է բժիշկների հսկողության ներքո` անցնելով հետվիրահատական խնամքի ոչ պակաս բարդ ճանապարհ` ինտենսիվ թերապիայի բաժանմունքում:   Ալբերտը, նրա ընտանիքն ու բժիշկները մեծ դժվարությունների առջեւ կկանգնեին, եթե չունենային Հայաստանի երեխաների առողջության հիմնադրամ - HFC Armenia-ի անգնահատելի աջակցությունը: Հիմնադրամը հանդիսանում է երեխաների լյարդի փոխպատվաստման մշտական հովանավորը` հատկացնելով վիրահատության համար անհրաժեշտ 14 մլն դրամ` ի հավելում պետության կողմից տրամադրվող 5մլն դրամ պետպատվերի գումարի: Այս անգամ, ելնելով ընտանիքի կարիքներից, հիմնադրամնն աննախադեպ որոշում է ընդունել` ֆինանսավորել նախավիրահատական թանկարժեք հետազոտությունների եւ դեղամիջոցների ձեռբերման ծախսերը եւս, որոնց մասին հաշվետվությունները Ալբերտին օգնության ձեռք մեկնած յուրաքանչյուր անհատ կկարողանա գտնել հիմնադրամի ֆեյսբուքյան էջում եւ կայքում:   Շնորհակալ ենք հիմնադրամին` նման մեծ աջակցության համար: Շնորհակալ ենք լյարդի փոխպատվաստման ամբողջ թիմին` գաստրոէնտերոլոգներ, վիրաբույժներ, այդ թվում` հեպատոբիլիար եւ ընդհանուր վիրաբույժներ, անոթային միկրովիրաբույժներ, անեսթեզիոլոգներ, ճառագայթային եւ լաբորատոր ախտորոշման մասնագետներ, իմունոսուպրեսիվ թերապիայի մասնագետներ, տրանսֆուզիոլոգներ, բուժքույրեր, ինժեներներ, տեխնիկներ, մայրապետներ, հերթապահ վարորդներ ու ադմինիստրատիվ աշխատակիցներ: Եվ, իհարկե, շնորհակալ ենք մեր բելառուս գործընկերիներին` ГУ "Минский НПЦ хирургии, трансплантологии и гематологии"֊ից։   Առանց միահամուռ ջանքերի այս ամենն ավելի դժվար կլիներ:    ГУ "Минский НПЦ хирургии, трансплантологии и гематологии" #երեխաներիԼյարդիՓոխպատվաստում #ChildrenLivertransplantation #ТрансплантацияПечениДетям #ԱրաբկիրԲՀ #ArabkirMC #МинскийНПЦЬирургииТрансплатологииГематологии #ՀայաստանիԵրեխաներիԱռողջությանՀիմնադրամ #HFCArmenia

Համագործակցային հերթական այցով «Արաբկիր» բժշկական համալիրում էր Մինսկի Վիրաբուժության, տրանսպլանտոլոգիայի եւ արյունաբանության գիտա-պրակտիկ կենտրոնի լյարդի փոխպատվաստման թիմը` պրոֆեսոր Օլեգ Ռումոյի գլխավորությամբ:   Հայ եւ բելառուս բժիշկները համատեղ մասնագիտական քննարկում են անցկացրել լյարդի ախտահարում ունեցող մի խումբ պացիենտների վերաբերյալ, ընդունել նախկինում լյարդի փոխպատվաստման վիրահատություն կրած երեխաներին, գնահատել նրանց ներկա վիճակը: Փոխպատվաստված օրգաններով պացիենտները դիսպանսեր հսկողություն են անցնում բժշկական համալիրի համապատասխան բաժանմունքում:   Բժիշկները մանրամասն քննարկել են նաեւ փոխպատվաստման նախապատրաստված հերթական պացիենտի հետազոտական տվյալներն ու կատարվելիք վիրահատության նրբությունները: Կոնսիլիումի հաջորդ օրն իրականացվել է 12-ամյա տղայի լյարդի փոխպատվաստում: Որպես դոնոր հանդես է եկել երեխայի մայրը:

  The Public TV report on brave Mkrtich. The boy suffered shrapnel wounds in Vank village, Martakert. For the past few days, Vazgen has been caressing his son with extreme care, almost not touching. He dreads causing any more pain to his son. There are hundreds of pieces of shrapnel in his 13-year-old son’s body. He shares a recent photo taken in the hospital, relieved that his son is looking better now.   Vazgen Hovoyan: “My wife sent me to take pictures of our children. When I returned, she was out of the operating room.” His wife is also dealing with shrapnel wounds, and she is undergoing treatment in a different hospital.    They used to live in Vank village in Martakert after the 2020 war, having moved from Dadivank.    Mkrtich Hovoyan: “We were at home, just sitting, when…”   An explosion occurred. AnAzerbaijani missile, originally aimed at civilian objects, landed directly on their house.   Mkrtich Hovoyan: “First, there was a yellow light, then an explosion. Everything turned black afterwards. And…I woke up, but I can't remember whether I fell or not…My chest hurt, and I got back on my feet.”   They transported him to the hospital and performed two surgeries.   Albert Lalazaryan, Pediatric Surgeon: “He had a multifragmentary fracture of the left mandibular ramus, fortunately without displacement. He also had a first left rib fracture, again without displacement. In addition, he has a foreign body (fragments from the bomb) in the lower lobe of the left lung, with a lower lobe contusion of the left lung and hemothorax. There was also a foreign body in his spleen.”   His stomach was wounded in three parts, his small bowels in 15 places, and the large bowel in one.  Albert Lalazaryan, Pediatric Surgeon: “He underwent a surgery, during which a colostomy was created on the left side.” Mkrtich Hovoyan: “At first, these two wounds caused intense pain, and I couldn’t move my hand like this. But over time, these wounds healed.”    There was a foreign body in his right wrist area.     Mkrtich Hovoyan: “I could not feel my finger up to this part, and my thumb hurt as well. Surgeons operated on it, and now I can move all my fingers, except the thumb, which still hurts.”   Even today, he carries numerous shrapnel fragments in his soft tissue, from head to toe.   Albert Lalazaryan: “The most significant risk we face today is the fragment lodged in his lower lobe of the lung, which can damage the lung tissue during breathing movements and could, at some point, come into proximity with major blood vessels, potentially causing severe bleeding.”   Currently, they are awaiting removal of the fragment, which may also necessitate the removal of a part of his lung. Another concern is the foreign body in his spleen.   Albert Lalazaryan: “The fragment in the spleen is currently stable, and the risk of bleeding is relatively low, but there is a potential risk of infection. If an infection were to occur in the spleen, it would present a problem and we might need to consider spleen removal.”   Specialists assure that the effects of shrapnel wounds will become noticeable in the months ahead. However, Mkrtich remains positive and resolute:   Mkrtich Hovoyan: “Everything is going well.”

  Colleagues from the US, including Professor Paul Merguerian, a pediatric urologist from Seattle Children's Hospital, and pediatric surgeon Caitlin Smith, visited the “Arabkir” medical center during their regular two-week visit.   Working alongside our team of uro-surgical specialists, the experts from the US conducted over 40 consultations and performed operations aimed at treating rare developmental defects. These conditions included epispadias, disorders of sex development, adrenogenital syndrome, complex cases of hypospadias, as well as anomalies of the anus, rectum, developmental defects of the colon (Hirschsprung's disease), and acute purulent inflammatory diseases in the form of perirectal fistulas.   The operations were successful, and the patients are currently in the post-operative phase. We also provided separate consultation hours, not only for new patients but also for those who had previously undergone such procedures and are under continuous doctor supervision.

  Professor Oleg Rummo and his team from the Minsk Scientific and Practical Center of Surgery, Transplantology and Hematology, paid another visit to the “Arabkir” Medical Complex. The primary focus of our 4-year cooperation is children’s liver transplantation. Besides discussing the details of new surgeries, the team also met with previously operated patients and their parents, evaluating the children’s condition.    The patient operated on during this visit was 14-year-old Rafael Khachinyan. The boy was diagnosed with liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and transplantation was indicated. The operation went successful, and Rafael is now in the post-operative recovery phase. His family is from the Tsaghkavan village in Tavush region. The total cost of operation was 19 million AMD, of which 5 million AMD was provided by the government, and the remaining 14 million was raised through the fundraising organized by the “Heath Fund for Children of Armenia”.    We are grateful for our patients, including Rafael, and all kind people who have contributed to this cause. Your donations have helped our children, their families and doctors in their difficult journey. Your support is truly invaluable. 

Beautiful Khadija is from Algeria. She came to “Arabkir” MC by mediation of the Association for Bladder Exstrophy Community /ABEC/ and a longtime friend of our surgical team, Professor Paul A. Merguerian from Seattle Children’s Hospital.    25 year old Khadija was born with bladder exstrophy and has had surgeries, however, urinary incontinence persisted, causing a number of social and psychological problems. To solve the problem, the Monti-Mitrofanoff procedure was performed increasing urinary bladder capacity with intestinal segment. We are pleased to inform, that the operation and post-operative period went well and Khadija returned home last night, free of psychological and social difficulties she said she had before coming to “Arabkir”. The President of ABEC interviewed Khadija about her experience, how one “search” on Facebook changed her life, bringing her from Algeria to Armenia and giving the girl, in her words, a freedom that is dearer than anything.     Thank you, dear doctors!

The fourth liver transplant on a child was performed yesterday in “Arabkir” Medical Complex by our team and Belarusian partners. Doctors avoid talking about the results of such complex operations, because, as they say, the operation is only the half of the job and the postoperative period is important as well. According to professor Rummo, despite all the difficulties that these complex operations have, the surgical part was successful and the data of the first day allows us to be optimistic about the results. “Arabkir” MC thanks the whole transplant team, our colleagues from the State Institution “Minsk Scientific and Practical Center for Surgery, Transplantology and Hematology” and Health Fund for the Children of Armenia (HFC Armenia), supporters, the Ministry of Health of the RA, MoH of Artsakh Rep. for combining efforts and helping the little kid from Artsakh.    #livertransplant #ArabkirMC #MinskScientificPracticalCenterforSurgeryTransplantionandHematology #լյարդիփոխպատվաստում #ԱրաբկիրԲՀ

Our colleagues from Belarus in the field of liver transplant, headed by professor Oleg Rummo, are back in “Arabkir” MC. Today they met already operated patients and their parents, assessed childrens’ condition and gave medical advice to patients, who, according to Armenian colleagues, need liver transplant.    By the way, the photos of professor Rummo and professor Babloyan are taken by Michael, one of our little patients, who has had a liver transplant.

Deputy Director of Surgical services of “Arabkir” MC Sergey Babloyan, MD and surgeon Romik Sargsyan were in “Austrian Child and Mother Hospital Of Gyumri”. And operated some of them. During their visit our surgeons received twenty patients with congenital urogenital  anomalies and operated some of them.  This kind of professional visits are valuable especially for regional clinicians and give them an opportunity to learn theoretical innovations practically right at their workplace.   

The 200th kidney transplant was performed in “Arabkir” MC: 200 saved lives with the efforts and devotion of donors and doctors.  The first kidney transplant here was performed in May, 1991. The idea of the program came to professor Ara Babloyan after the earthquake, when many people, including children, who were left under the ruins, needed hemodialysis. However, hemodialysis could not be the final solution to that problem, especially in children; it affects the quality of life. Transplantation is considered a much more effective and guaranteed approach. The kidney transplant is performed by a multidisciplinary team. First, after discussing and taking into consideration medical, psychological and other aspects, the patient - donor pair is chosen, then the actual operation takes place. Surgeons work in two operating rooms in parallel. In the first operating room they take the organ from the donor, and in the second one they place it in the recipient՚s body. Then post-operative care and follow-up care of recipients starts. By the way, the Recipient՚s follow-up care department in “Arabkir” MC is the only one in Armenia. Currently, 180 patients are registered here, most of them - 163, with transplanted kidney, 16 with transplanted liver and one with transplanted heart. The video provides additional information about kidney transplant: patients tell about preoperative, surgical and postoperative periods, mentioning that the most important things in this difficult path are trusting in their doctors and the will to solve the problem together. 

Dear visitors, we gladly inform you that Adult Surgery Services fully equipped with modern technologies are available at “Arabkir +”. Both open and laparoscopic surgeries are performed here: Cholecystectomy (in case of calculous and acalculous cholecystitis) Herniotomy (inguinal, ventral, umbilical, epigastric) Appendectomy (removal of the appendix) Abdominal cystic masses (simple and complex cysts of liver, parasitic cysts, e.g. echinococcus) Colorectal surgeries (hemorrhoids, anal fissure, pilonidal cyst) Ambulatory interventions (with local anesthesia) For more information call 060 400 300 /22 20/ and 015 400 300 /11 49/. 

Վիրաբույժ Գարիկ Առաքելյանը Հանրային ռադիոյի եթերում ներկայացրել է մանկական աճուկային ճողվածքի մանրամասները:  

 «Արաբկիր» ԲՀ ուրո-վիրաբուժական բաժանմունքի ղեկավար Պողոս Գեյիկյանն ու գաստրոէնտերոլոգ Սիրանուշ Փաշինյանը՝ լյարդի փոխպատվաստման մասին: