It is a victorious week for the medical team at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and the Nigerian health sector as a whole as a successful minimal surgery of thoracoscopic primary repair of the Esophageal Atresia and Tracheoesophageal fistula, was successfully carried out on a 13-day old baby girl by a team of medical experts at LUTH.
This milestone of achievement at LUTH was made known on Tuesday by the current Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Professor Wasiu Adeyemo. He made it known that the surgery carried out on the 13-day old baby is the first of its kind in any public hospital in Nigeria.
Professor Adeyemo further explained that the surgery was possible through the continued support of the federal government of Nigeria and some well meaning Nigerians and medical experts as well.
He said, “This minimal access surgery has further showcased the effort of the Federal Government through LUTH to ensure Nigerians have access to affordable and quality healthcare.
“This surgery is the first of its kind in any tertiary institution in Nigeria with the use of thoracoscopic equipment.
“We have the expertise here in Luth and surgeries like this are highly subsided by the Federal Government for Nigerians to benefit and get the healthcare they need in the country without travelling abroad.
“I want to also commend Dr Igwe of Evercare Specialist Hospital for his willingness to share his expertise and experience with our surgeons.”
Also speaking about the success of this surgery, the lead pediatric consultant on the case who led the surgery stated that the baby was brought to LUTH at 9 days old with a blocked Esophagus. He revealed that the baby is doing well and will be discharged today, the 6th of March.
He said, “This baby was brought to LUTH when she was nine days old with a blocked Esophagus, (that is the pipe that carries food to the stomach) and needed urgent surgery.
“The baby was choking on feeding and bringing out mucus from the nose and mouth which indicated that there was a blockage in the tube that connects food to the stomach.
“So, we reconnected the tube through a minimal access surgery instead of doing an open surgery that could endanger the life of the child,”
The mother of the 13-day old baby girl, Mrs Adeyinka Shola who is grateful to LUTH as a whole stated that, “I’m indebted and grateful to LUTH for saving the life of my baby girl, I noticed she was not doing fine four hours after I gave birth to her.
“We were referred to LUTH for further investigation on her health, and I am happy that she has improved tremendously after the surgery.”
