Recently, the 5th China Medical Team to Solomon Islands, together with local surgeons, successfully performed minimally invasive areolar breast surgery on an 18-year-old patient at the Comprehensive Medical Center of the National Referral Hospital. This is the first such procedure in Solomon Islands, ending the patient’s nine-year suffering with nearly invisible scars and marking a historic breakthrough in local minimally invasive breast surgery.
The patient developed a painless left breast lump at age 9, which grew over time and caused significant psychological distress. Traditional surgery would leave visible scars, so she and her mother long sought a better option.
Referred by a community hospital, they consulted Dr. Zhang Shiyong, a female breast specialist and surgeon who is part of the 5th the China Medical Team. Dr. Zhang and the Solomon Islands team designed a minimally invasive peri-areolar incision procedure.
Led by Dr. Zhang with local surgeon Dr. Fandry, the team made a 4 cm hidden incision along the areola, fully removed the fibroadenoma, and preserved breast structures with minimal bleeding.
During the operation, the Chinese breast surgeon guided the local doctor step by step, explaining key techniques including incision selection, tumor dissection, and cosmetic suturing. This hands‑on training ensured Solomon medical staff mastered the full procedure, delivering medical treatment while transferring skills. “I worked smoothly with the Chinese doctor and learned an innovative method for treating breast tumors today. Thank you for your careful guidance,” Dr. Fandry said after the surgery.
The patient recovered quickly and was discharged within 24 hours with almost no visible scarring. After many years of distress, the patient smiled again and thanked the China Medical Team for its superb skills and humane care.
Dr. Zhang Shiyong noted that areolar minimally invasive cosmetic surgery for breast fibroadenoma is a mature technique ideal for young patients with benign breast tumors. Its advantages include:
Hidden scarless incision: The incision along the areola is concealed by pigment, maximizing breast appearance. Minimally invasive and fast recovery: A small 3–4 cm incision causes minimal tissue damage and bleeding, with mild postoperative pain and low complication rates. Effective and thorough: It completely removes benign breast tumors with low recurrence, avoiding irreversible damage to breast structure and appearance from traditional long incisions.
The leader of the 5th China Medical Team Chu Liangzhao, a neurosurgeon said the team has added a breast surgeon to support women’s health in Solomon Islands. The team focuses on transferring skills, training local doctors and improving medical services, filling technical gaps in minimally invasive breast surgery. This successful operation helps the patient regain confidence and dignity. Going forward, the team will keep providing training and support to build a standard breast care system for local people.
