In a quest towards improving urological care in Korle Bu and the country, Dr. Isaac Asiedu, a Senior Urology Specialist and a team of professionals, on September 27, successfully performed a groundbreaking surgical procedure.
The procedure, called laparoscopic pyeloplasty surgery, is done to correct defects in the kidney.
This innovative surgery, which eliminates the need for large incisions, marks a new development in surgical training for medical professionals.
Unlike the traditional open pyeloplasty, which involves a large abdominal cut and longer recovery periods, this new “keyhole” technique involves making small punctures in the abdomen to insert a camera and instruments for the surgery.
This surgical breakthrough marks another important story in the Hospital’s healthcare delivery, given that the procedure was performed in the newly constructed Urology and Nephrology Center. The Center is a 101-bed facility with state-of-the-art medical technology to enhance healthcare services.
The new facility is currently undergoing a trial session and will soon be commissioned and handed over to the Hospital authorities for use.
The minimally invasive nature of laparoscopic pyeloplasty allows patients to recover faster, with many being discharged after just one day and requiring little pain medication. This contrasts sharply with the conventional method where patients often face extended hospital stays and higher doses of painkillers.
In an interview with the lead Surgeon, Dr. Isaac Asiedu, he noted that the importance of this training is for medical Residents to equip themselves with advanced surgical skills to promote the overall quality of care available in Ghana.
He said that with time, laparoscopic pyeloplasty will become a routine procedure in hospitals across the country, ensuring that Ghanaians no longer travel abroad for such specialized surgeries.
The five-day training had eight senior residents, eight junior residents, and four house officers participating in the training exercise.
In an interview with some patients who benefited from the free surgeries, as part of the training, they expressed their delight.
Sharing their experience of undergoing this surgical procedure, they stressed that the quality of treatment can be compared to international standards.
The patients, however, called on the Hospital management to institute a robust maintenance culture to ensure the longevity of the Centre and advised patients and patrons to cooperate with the Hospital’s authority to ensure the durability of the Centre.
