LAGOS: Nigeria has recorded a major healthcare milestone with the successful performance of West Africa’s first robotic gynaecological surgery at The Prostate Clinic (TPC), Lagos.
The procedure, carried out on Sunday, marked the clinic’s expansion of robotic surgery from male-focused treatments to women’s health care.
TPC Medical Director and Consultant Robotic Surgeon, Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme, said the surgery underscored Nigeria’s growing capacity for medical innovation.
He disclosed that the patient, a young woman with an ovarian tumour, underwent successful surgery and was expected to resume normal activities within 24 hours.
Ekwueme said robotic surgery reduced pain, blood loss and recovery time, describing the procedure as transformative for treating fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian tumours and selected ectopic pregnancies.
He added that the surgery was performed free under TPC’s corporate social responsibility programme and revealed plans to establish Nigeria’s first robotic surgery centre in partnership with the Imo State Government.
A Consultant Gynaecologist at LASUTH, Prof. Yusuf Oshodi, said the 30-year-old patient was suitable for robotic surgery and that the procedure preserved fertility.
UK-based Consultant Gynaecologist, Mr Olaolu Aladade, described robotic surgery as superior to open procedures, citing faster recovery and better outcomes.
