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Recently, at the China-aided National Referral Hospital Comprehensive Medical Center (CMC) in Solomon Islands, Dr. Chen Xulong of the 4th China Medical Team collaborated with local surgeon Dr Augustine Melly successfully performed the first holmium laser lithotripsy for bladder stones in the country. This marks the Solomon Islands’ formal entry into a new era of minimally invasive urological surgery. The occurrence of bladder stones in Solomon Islands is relatively high, affecting not only adult men but also women and children. In the past, due to limited medical resources, most patients had to undergo open surgery to remove bladder stones — a procedure associated with large incisions, slow recovery, and high risk of complications, causing significant pain and burden for patients. Holmium laser lithotripsy is currently the mainstream minimally invasive technique for treating urinary stones worldwide. It allows the fragmentation and removal of bladder stones without opening the bladder, offering notable advantages such as minimal trauma, less bleeding, faster recovery, and reduced infection risk. With the deepening of China–Solomon Islands medical cooperation, the China Medical Team introduced holmium laser technology to the country, providing local patients with a safer, more efficient, and less invasive treatment option that has significant public health value. The success of this procedure signifies that Solomon Islands now possesses the capability to carry out minimally invasive urinary stone treatments, marking a leap from traditional open surgery to modern minimally invasive technology. The operation was jointly completed by Chinese and Solomon Islands doctors. During the procedure, both teams worked closely together, engaging in in-depth communication and collaboration on equipment adjustment, energy setting, and lithotripsy techniques. Dr. Melly served as the lead surgeon, while Dr. Chen Xulong provided technical support and shared professional experience. The holmium laser device and laser fibers used in the procedure were purchased and delivered from China under the “China–Solomon Islands Urological Minimally Invasive Surgery Center Project”, providing strong hardware support for the successful operation. Participating medical staff Dr. Melly and Nurse Densy had recently completed a three-month training program at the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University in China under the same project. There, they systematically studied and practiced holmium laser and other minimally invasive urological techniques. Upon returning home, and under the guidance of the Chinese medical team, they successfully completed this surgery — a milestone that demonstrated the localization and practical application of training results, and the positive cycle of “technical support – talent cultivation – results transformation” achieved through China–Solomon Islands medical cooperation. After the surgery, the patient was transferred to the newly opened urology ward in the CMC for recovery. The ward’s comfortable environment and advanced facilities provide patients with a safer, more convenient, and patient-centered medical experience. The patient recovered well after the operation and reported no significant discomfort. According to Zhao Xueke, leader of the 4th China Medical Team, the successful completion of this surgery not only reflects the team’s continued efforts in technical assistance, talent development, and equipment support, but also further strengthens the deep friendship between China and Solomon Islands in the field of healthcare. Looking ahead, the team will continue to assist local hospitals in expanding the clinical application of holmium laser technology to include minimally invasive treatments for kidney stones, ureteral stones, and prostatic hyperplasia, helping the Solomon Islands’ urology services achieve leapfrog development and enabling more local patients to benefit from the achievements of modern medicine. This is also to inform the public that the new CMC is now fully operational, offering a comprehensive range of services including surgeries and inpatient care for specialist treatment. Patients in the Solomon Islands can now access advanced medical procedures and ongoing care close to home in a state-of-the-art facility. -MHMS Press Release
