LUTH trains 25 professionals in endoscopic surgery

In a bid to increase knowledge in gynaecology endoscopy surgery, the Lagos state University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, has trained 25 surgeons drawn from all geo-political zones in the country. A Consultant and Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, LUTH, Prof. Abosede Afolabi, said that the training is necessary because endoscopy gynaecology surgery is not popular in Nigeria compared to the richer countries.

Abosede at the first German-Nigerian advanced training course in endoscopy gynaecological surgery added that the collaboration is to enhance doctors’ skill in operating in the minimally invasive way.The Kiel School of Gynaecological Endoscopy, Germany and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, LUTH, Lagos held the training recently. She explained that endoscopy means being able to operate through a tiny incision on the abdomen, instead of having the usual big cut.

“If you want to remove fibroid, uterus, an ovarian cysts, you do the surgery through the hole so the patient will not feel much pain, and they go home on the same day,” she added. Although the surgery is expensive, Abosede said it is cheaper compared to doing the usual surgery, which might result in some complications and longer stay in the hospital.

On some of the limitations facing endoscopy in Nigeria, a Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician, Dr. Joseph Olamijulo, said the country is lagging behind in terms of advancement due to insufficient equipment.Olamijulon added that more endoscopes should be provided in both the Federal and State government hospitals to encourage endoscopy surgery.

“The provision of endoscopes in the nation’s hospitals would enable endoscopy surgery to be widely and safely practiced. We are doing endoscopy surgery in LUTH, but there is still need for expansion. The present management of LUTH is particularly committed to ensuring that endoscopy surgery is available,” he said.On benefits of the surgery, the Consultant said that it is cosmetic acceptable because of the little hole required, also reduces pains and complications.

The Training Centre Manager, Karl Storz Endoscopy in Germany, Tony Rahme admitted that Nigerian doctors are talented but are limited due to lack of equipment in the government-owned hospitals, while private hospitals that have it are at high cost. Rahme advised that the country should stop wasting money on medical foreign trips.

“Hospitals should have the machine because surgeries done with endoscopes are less hazardous. In fact, it is cheaper to have the machine than to send a patient abroad for surgery because we have the doctors with the talent but they need the tools,” he said. He added that the cost of sending a patient to Indian or Germany is enough to buy an endoscope, which in turn would benefit others.

A participant and Consultant Gynaecologist, Dr. Uche Iwuh said the training would be more responsive if available for medical students and resident doctors. “The problem is that as a Consultant, we have to relearn what we are supposed to have learned when were much younger, which is not easy,” he added.The consultant from Premier Specialist Hospital said the training has exposed him further to endoscopy surgery without having to travel outside the country.He added that the training should continue so that many gynaecologists and obstetricians could benefit and learn more about endoscopy surgery.