Making a case for Minimal Access Surgery

According to experts, Minimal Access Surgery, also called Laparoscopic Surgery, is ‘a specialised form of surgery that allows surgeons to operate without making large incisions as done in traditional (open) surgery’.The Minimal Access Surgery workshop was organized by the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) and the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, UDUTH in collaboration […]

According to experts, Minimal Access Surgery, also called Laparoscopic Surgery, is ‘a specialised form of surgery that allows surgeons to operate without making large incisions as done in traditional (open) surgery’.
The Minimal Access Surgery workshop was organized by the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) and the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, UDUTH in collaboration with Hamsphire Foundation Trust, Basingstoke United Kingdom and the kulkarni Endo Surgery Institute, Pune, India .
There were lectures at the conference hall, Dry Lab for demonstration, live surgeries at the operating theatre as well as live transmission during the course.
Mr Adedamola Onifade ,Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital Basingstoke, UK pointed out the advantages of MAS to include less pain, lower operative and post-operative risks, shorter hospital stays, faster return to regular activities.
According to him MAS is cost effective, reliable and patient centred.
Dr. Misauno M.A. Reader in Surgery/Consultant General Surgeon University of Jos/Jos University Teaching Hospital who spoke on sterilization of laparoscopic instrument described sterilization as complete removal of all microbial forms.
He said traditionally, surgeries are conducted with sterile instruments and that sterilization is readily achieved by heat while other methods are the use of gases and chemicals.
The surgeon however noted that some Laparoscopic instruments present a unique challenge that warrants the discussion.
He shed light on classification of laparoscopic instruments explaining that based on Spaulding’s classification of patient care materials, lap equipment can be classified into Non critical materials see ,Semi critical material, Critical material.
The surgeon also spoke on the types of sterilization agents and practical steps in sterilization of critical materials.
Dr. Misauno gave another lecture on effects of carbon dioxide insufflations while Ya’u Abubakar Gagarawa, Consultant General/Laparoscopic Surgeon, National Hospital Abuja spoke on ‘Energy Use in Laparoscopic Surgery’.
In a goodwill message at the opening session of the 3-day International programme, Minister of Health Professor Christian Onyebuchi Chuckwu said the workshop would not have come at a better time than now since government is concerned about the high level of medical tourism out of the country and that all efforts are geared towards its reduction to the barest minimum.
He described the event as momentous.
“It is indeed another milestone in achieving the much desired human resources for health which is in tandem with ministry of health’s reform agenda and in line with the transformation agenda of Mr. President to ensure corporate improvement in the quality of service delivery and expansion in the range of services offered in all spheres of human endeavour,” he stated.
Prof. Chukwu recalled that UDUTH was established on 2nd May 1980 along with other teaching hospitals located in Jos, Maiduguri, Ilorin, Calabar and Port Harcourt, with the responsibilities of service delivery, training and research to ensure effective and efficient health care delivery to the populace.
The minister observed that in recent years UDUTH has made giant strides in becoming a centre of excellence in many sub specialities in medicine.