MTRH pioneers minimally invasive pediatric surgery in Kenya

KENYA—The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) Shoe4Africa Children’s Hospital in Kenya has celebrated a groundbreaking achievement in pediatric healthcare.

For the first time, the hospital successfully performed a laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery on a young child, marking a significant step forward in the treatment of children requiring surgical care.

The procedure was carried out on a 4-year-old boy diagnosed with undescended testis, a condition medically known as cryptorchidism.

This condition occurs when one or both of a baby’s testicles fail to move down into the scrotum.

Traditionally, correcting this problem would have required a major open surgery, involving a large incision and a longer recovery period.

However, thanks to advances in medical technology and the dedication of the hospital’s surgical team, the operation was performed using minimally invasive techniques.

During the procedure, the surgical team completed what is known as a first-stage laparoscopic orchidopexy.

Instead of making a large cut in the abdomen, the surgeons used a single port just 5 millimeters wide, along with two additional sites only 3 millimeters each.

This approach greatly reduced the trauma and discomfort for the young patient.

Remarkably, the child was awake and ready for discharge shortly after the operation, highlighting the benefits of this less invasive technique.

This medical milestone was made possible through the leadership and vision of Dr. Philip Kirwa, the hospital’s CEO, and Dr. Peter Saula, Head of the Pediatric Surgery Department.

Both leaders have been strong advocates for expanding access to advanced surgical care for children in the region.

Their commitment, combined with the expertise of the surgical team, has set a new standard for pediatric surgery at the institution.

The success of the operation was also the result of excellent teamwork among various hospital departments.

The anesthesia, nursing, biomedical, supply chain, and cleaning teams all played vital roles in ensuring the surgery went smoothly.

Special recognition goes to Herbert Oloo, Nurse Manager of the operating theatre, who led the theatre team in planning and coordinating the procedure seamlessly.

Looking to the future, Dr. Kirwa expressed hope that this achievement will pave the way for more children in the region to benefit from minimally invasive surgery.

 “As we look ahead, we hope to build on this foundation to increase access to minimally invasive surgery for children in our region,” he affirmed.

The successful completion of this laparoscopic surgery not only brings hope to families in Kenya but also demonstrates the hospital’s commitment to providing world-class care.

With ongoing support and continued investment in advanced medical techniques, MTRH Shoe4Africa Children’s Hospital is poised to become a leader in pediatric surgical care in East Africa.

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