Personal particulars
Hayder Sabeeh Nsaif Al Saffar
15/6/1974
Iraqi
Passport No.: B05384962
Associate professor in the Department of Surgery/ college of Medicine/
University of Babylon
Hilla City- Babil Governorate
ZIP 51001
Iraq
Abutalib20033@gmail.com
009647803911512
Qualifications
Professional qualification: consultant. Cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon
Primary medical degree: 1999/2000. M.B.Ch.B, College of Medicine, University of Babylon
Postgraduate: 2007. Fellow of Iraqi Board for Medical Specializations, cardiothoracic and vascular surgery
December 2023 accepted for study an International Master degree in Surgical Lymphology issued by Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, for 2 years ended in June 2025.
Work experience
Governmental sect:
1. Since 30/07/2019: Associate Professor in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Babylon.
2. From 25/03/2013 to 30/07/2019: Assistant Professor in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Babylon.
3. From 04/02/2008 to 25/03/2013: Lecturer in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Babylon.
4. From 01/12/2002 to 17/12/2007: Five-year postgraduate training in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Iraqi Board for Medical Specializations.
5. From 27/01/2001: Two-year residency in Babil Health Directorate (8 months in Merjan Teaching Hospital, 8 months in Babil Maternity and Pediatric Hospital, and 8 months in Hilla General Teaching Hospital).
6. From 12/10/2000 to 27/01/2001: Resident doctor in Babil Health Directorate, Merjan General Teaching Hospital.
Private sect:
On 6/6/2012, I became a specialist in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery according to the Iraqi Medical Association, and since that time, I have operated a private clinic, the most recent of which was licensed in Baghdad on 2/12/2020 by the Iraqi Medical Association.
Detailed scope of work:
After becoming a fellow of the Iraqi Board of Medical Specializations, I returned to work as a lecturer in my specialty at the College of Medicine, University of Babylon. In line with this academic role, I practiced my clinical specialty at Hilla General Teaching Hospital, the surgical teaching hospital affiliated with the college, starting from February 4, 2008.
At that time, Iraq was experiencing widespread terrorist and violent events, which significantly influenced our medical practice, focusing primarily on emergency cases. For ten years, I was on 24-hour on-call duty every 3–5 days. I was extensively involved in the surgical treatment of thoracic and vascular trauma, managing complex and aggressive pathologies such as shock wave injuries, high and low-velocity missile wounds, blunt trauma, and simple penetrating injuries. Most of our cases involved multiply injured patients.
Elective thoracic and vascular cases were also commonly encountered. My work included both emergency and diagnostic bronchoscopic procedures using rigid and fiberoptic bronchoscopes. Thoracotomies for various lung, mediastinal, and chest wall pathologies, as well as elective vascular procedures—such as varicose vein surgeries and bypass procedures for surgically correctable arterial diseases—were a routine part of our daily surgical practice during that decade.
As the global medical landscape evolved, I made continuous efforts to keep pace with advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. I participated in numerous international courses, clinical attachment trainings, workshops, and conferences, which enriched my clinical experience. My work placed particular emphasis on venous and lymphedema surgery, an area in which I played a pioneering role in Iraq.
Currently, I am practicing several modern treatment techniques for superficial venous pathologies. I was among the earliest to implement microsclerotherapy, foam sclerotherapy, and endovenous laser ablation (EVLT) in Iraq, and I was the first in the country to use double ring fibers and the advanced 1470 nm endovenous laser technique.
In the field of endovenous surgery for deep venous diseases, our team has developed significant experience over the past two years. Our early work was published in a prominent Italian journal, with a manuscript entitled "First Reported Series of Iliocaval Stenting from Iraq: What Are the Earliest Lessons?"
In thoracic surgery, I am part of the team that first introduced EBUS (endobronchial ultrasound) technology in Iraq. To this day, we remain the only team using EBUS and other advanced diagnostic tools for thoracic pathologies, in addition to the routine surgeries we perform at Tiba Private Hospital in Babil.
Regarding lymphedema, after acquiring the necessary training and knowledge in the latest treatment modalities for these complex and challenging conditions, I have gained valuable experience and have published academically in this area. I recently received specialized training in and now practice microvascular physiological corrective lymph surgery.
Courses attended locally
1. Smart diode laser in vascular surgery, extensive hands on training, endovenous laser treatment, 1st Sept. 2023, Mihrabani private hospital, Erbil, Iraq. (Lecturer and Trainer)
2. 6th annual scientific conference of the Iraqi cardiothoracic society, 11th -13th/5/2022. (speaker)
3. Second international conference for medical education, 26th - 27th/2/2017. University of Babylon- College of medicine. (attendant)
4. Writing integrated exam. Questions, workshop 26th -27th/2/2017. University of Babylon- College of medicine. (attendant)
5. Workshops for medical education, 16th/2/2015. College of medicine- university of Babylon. (attendant)
6. Third scientific medical conference, 16th -20th/10/2011. University of Babylon -College of medicine. attendant, speaker, and rapporteur of one of sessions. (session moderator)
7. Second scientific medical conference, 3rd-4th/ November/2010.University of Babylon -College of medicine. (attendant and speaker)
8. First specialized medical conference about coronary stenting, 2 nd/4/2009. Iraqi cardiothoracic society in collaboration withmedical college/ university of Babylon and Babil health directorate. (attendant)
9. Second Babil surgical conference held at Babylon resort, Babylon association of surgeons. (Attendant)
10. One-day conference on recent advances in endoscopic surgery. Babylon association of surgeons. (Attendant and speaker)
Courses attended internationally
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24/03–11/04/2025: Three-week clinical observership in lymphedema surgery at Papageorgiou General Teaching Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, as part of the International Mastership of Surgical Lymphedema (Participant).
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09/09–08/11/2024: Two-month clinical observership at the Plastic Surgery Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu, Barcelona, Spain, as part of the International Mastership in Surgical Lymphedema (Participant).
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12–13/04/2024: Venous Insufficiency Personal and Practical (VIPP) course, Kreussler International School of Sclerotherapy, Bologna, Italy (Participant).
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24–25/04/2023: 9th World Symposium on Lymphedema Surgery, Barcelona, Spain, directed by Dr. Jaume Masia, RMES (Participant).
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21/11–02/12/2022: Clinical Practice Observership in Reconstructive Lymphatic Surgery, Genoa, Italy, with Prof. Dott Coradino Campisi (Participant).
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23/09/2016: Observable Internship on Venous Disease, Centrum Oosterwal, Alkmaar, Netherlands (Participant).
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22/08–16/09/2016: Short-Term Fellowship in Interventional Pneumonology, Ruhrland Klinik, Essen, Germany (Participant).
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14–17/05/2014: Duplex Ultrasound Course for Superficial Vein Pathology, European Venous Training Center, Maastricht, Netherlands (Participant).
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18/02–01/03/2013: Clinical Attachment in Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Acibadem Health Group, Istanbul, Turkey (Participant).
Paper articles published in indexed local / international journals – list date, year, title of publication
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Low-level laser (biophotomodulation) therapy for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers with 532 nm KTP laser induces wound healing, fibroblast proliferation and overexpression of TGF-β. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341579573 [accessed Sep 29, 2020].
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The value of using Tagman real-time PCR, phenol-auramine stain and Ziehl-Neelsen stain in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in fine-needle aspiration material. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337193306 [accessed Sep 29, 2020].
