Over the years, the techniques of approaching surgical operations continue to improve and with advanced technology, highly innovative surgical skills, majority of procedures can now be performed using minimally invasive techniques.
From telemedicine to digitization to health apps, technological advancement has significantly improved healthcare. As the world continues to embrace technology in healthcare, the dynamics of operating on surgeries have paved the way for Laparoscopic Surgery.
In the past, open surgery has been widely accepted and used in the medical sphere. This procedure involves cutting a large 8cm to 10cm incision over an area of the abdomen to operate on. Because of the increased exposure of body tissue to the external environment, this form of performing surgery is said to be more painful to patients and carries a higher risk of post-operative adhesions and infections. In solving these challenges, an advanced form of surgery was developed which helps to ease the surgical process.
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Also known as keyhole surgery because of the minute cut required, Laparoscopic Surgery is a modern method now embraced by medical practitioners to minimize the effect of pain in surgery. It is a minimally invasive surgery that involves the use of modern techniques to perform abdominal operations using small openings, most times a few half-to-one-centimeter incisions. Through a small cut made at the navel, the surgeon passes a viewing telescope attached to a camera and light source into the abdomen revealing the operating area on a video monitor. An additional two or three small incisions are made to create passageways for other specially designed instruments required for the surgery. A tube is then embedded through the cut, and carbon dioxide gas is siphoned to expand the patient’s abdomen. Expanding the abdomen allows the specialist to see the organs plainly and get more space to work with. A laparoscope is then embedded through this tube. After the operation, the carbon dioxide is released from the tummy, the openings are closed using clips or stitches and a dressing is applied.
While minimally invasive surgery has gained prominence in recent years in developed countries, it is not very popular in Africa. Hundreds of Africans travel yearly on medical tourism to these developed countries. According to Transparency Market Research, the global minimally invasive surgery market was valued at 1.1 billion dollars in 2017 and is projected to expand at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.2% from 2018 to 2026. It is speculated that lowered risk of infection and decreased risk of complications, reduced scarring and quicker recovery with less pain, as well as its cost effectiveness compared with traditional surgery, will propel the acceptability of minimally invasive surgery.
Evercare Hospital Lekki is adding to this narrative with its vibrant services of minimally invasive surgery. With its 165-bed, purpose-built, multispecialty tertiary care facility, the hospital offers care across a range of speciality medical and surgical services. One of the foremost hospitals with expertise in various surgical subspecialties, the hospital provides unique advantage to patients who desire laparoscopic procedure with international standard proficiency in bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery including Botox), obstetrics and gynaecology, pediatric surgery, and urology.
‘‘One of the hallmarks at Evercare Hospital is ensuring that we transform healthcare using disruptive approaches that conform to global standards. We also try to simplify methods of operation on patients such that surgery becomes a less cumbersome process to the patient. Minimally Invasive surgeries are becoming high in demand and Evercare remains a frontier in delivering quality healthcare especially in surgery where we have some of the best qualified practitioners. This is one of the elements that sets us apart’’, Ayo Shonibare, Evercare Hospital Lekki’s Chief Medical Officer stated while discussing minimally invasive surgery.
Evercare Hospital Lekki is part of the Evercare group, an integrated healthcare delivery platform in Africa and Asia with a comprehensive portfolio of 30 hospitals, 16 clinics and 82 diagnostic centers. With Laparoscopic Surgeries, the benefits include reduced pain due to smaller incisions, reduced blood loss, shorter recovery time, and early return to work and normal activities.
There is also reduced postoperative morbidities such as wound infections and incisional hernia,lessened exposure of internal organs to possible external contaminants, smaller and less visible scars, and hospital stay is remarkably shorter. As opposed to an open surgery which takes about six weeks or more for full recovery, Laparoscopic surgeries take about two weeks recovery period.
The most recent innovation to guarantee ultimate care for patients across West Africa, Evercare Hospital Lekki has a coordinated approach in dealing with laparoscopic surgeries in a pleasant and homely environment.
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