Nigeria records new feat in robotic prostate cancersurgery
Prof Kingsley Ekwueme
In a historic medical breakthrough, a Nigerian robotic surgeon has successfully performed the first robotic-assisted prostate cancer surgery in Sub-Saharan Africa.
This milestone was headed by a United Kingdom-based Consultant Urological/Robotic Surgeon, Prof Kingsley Ekwueme, at The Prostate Clinic (TPC), Victoria Island, Lagos State.
Ekwueme explained that he modeled the clinic after specialised centres in Europe, inspired by his colleagues and fellow professors. He explained that his vision is to provide Nigerians with world-class medical care locally, eliminating the need for patients to travel abroad for advanced treatment.
According to the surgeon, he has been visiting Lagos to perform keyhole surgeries in collaboration with various hospitals. However, with the establishment of TPC, Nigerians now have a dedicated centre for minimally invasive procedures, particularly laparoscopic surgery with advanced treatments for prostate cancer and other urological conditions.
He highlighted that the clinic houses the Da Vinci robotic system, an advanced surgical tool designed to enhance precision and reduce recovery time for prostate cancer patients.
Before this development, the Da-Vinci robotic system was available only in South Africa within the continent. Patients requiring such advanced procedures had to seek treatment overseas. With this installation, Nigeria joins the ranks of countries utilising robotic surgery for prostate cancer treatment.
The professor emphasised the efficiency of the Da Vinci system, which provides high-definition, three-dimensional imaging, allowing for intricate procedures while preserving the patient’s nerves for faster post-surgery recovery.
Highlighting the technology’s capabilities, Ekwueme explained that the robotic arms mimic natural hand movements with seven degrees of freedom, ensuring unparalleled precision.
The system enables remote operation, minimising blood loss and reducing hospital stays. He disclosed that the first patient who underwent the procedure at TPC would be discharged within 24 hours, with minimal scarring and no need for a blood transfusion.
On concerns about affordability, he reassured Nigerians that the cost of robotic-assisted prostate surgery would be kept reasonable. The primary mission, he stated, is to reduce preventable deaths from prostate-related diseases. He further assured that no patient would be denied treatment at TPC due to financial constraints.
Beyond prostate cancer surgeries, the surgeon highlighted his extensive expertise in urological procedures, including surgeries for kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and benign prostate enlargement.
He also revealed plans to introduce a new, non-invasive treatment for enlarged prostates, the first of its kind in Africa. Ekwueme expressed his commitment to training more surgeons in keyhole surgery techniques and partnering with the government and medical institutions to expand access to minimally invasive procedures.
He reiterated his dedication to revolutionising Nigeria’s healthcare system, particularly in urology, and called for collaboration to make robotic surgery a standard practice across hospitals in the country.