Laparoscopic surgery entails the use of modern techniques to perform operations on the abdomen of a patient using very small openings or “keyholes”. Conventionally, operations are performed on the abdomen of patients by cutting it wide open so that the hand of the surgeon can be inserted to carry out surgical procedures. Large or relatively large wounds so created may have several challenges chief among which is attendant pain which may be significantly higher than that of a keyhole sized wound. A large wound is equally at a higher risk of infection. All of this may lengthen the stay of the patient in the hospital and increase other problems that may follow operations. This prompted the development of technologically driven techniques whereby one or few small openings are made on the abdomen and with the use of a telescope, the same operations can be carried out without cutting the abdomen wide open. Over the past few decades, laparoscopic surgery has been shown to give so many advantages over the open method in developed countries such that the majority of operations in the abdomen are now carried out by laparoscopy. Today, many hospitals in Nigeria are offering these services and our hospital is leading in that regards.
At the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, laparoscopic surgery for general surgical conditions was commenced in 2008. We have performed more than 800 (eight hundred) laparoscopic procedures in general surgery unit up to December 2021 Today a wide range of laparoscopic surgical procedures are available in adults and children for diseases of the gallbladder, appendix, colon, liver and pancreas and other abdominal organs.
OAUTHC offers a unique advantage for Nigerian patients who desire laparoscopic surgery. Our services are highly subsidized and the cost is as low as 10% of what obtains in some private hospitals in Nigeria.
Surgery specialist clinics and Out-patient clinics for patients with general surgical abdominal conditions desiring laparoscopic surgeries hold at 8am every Tuesday at the Surgery Consultant Out-Patient Clinic at the Phase II building of the hospital. Such patients may also attend Surgery clinics on Mondays or Thursday at the same time and venue.
