Nigeria makes history with first robotic gynaecological surgery in Lagos
Nigeria has recorded another milestone in advanced healthcare delivery as The Prostate Clinic (TPC), Lagos, on Sunday successfully carried out robotic surgery on a female patient, described by experts as the first robotic gynaecological procedure in West Africa.
The procedure was performed on a 30-year-old woman diagnosed with an ovarian tumour, marking a deliberate expansion of robotic surgery in the country from male-focused procedures to women’s health. Speaking at the facility, the Consultant Robotic Surgeon and Medical Director, TPC, Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme, said the development underscored the hospital’s commitment to innovation and the use of cutting-edge technology to address complex medical conditions.
He said TPC introduced the first surgical robot in Nigeria and West Africa last year and was now extending the technology to gynaecological surgeries. According to him, the patient had been suffering significant pain and disruption to her daily life before undergoing the procedure. “With robotic surgery, we removed two large tumours. She will go home today and can return to work tomorrow,” Ekwueme said.
He explained that robotic surgery significantly reduces the prolonged hospital stay, pain and productivity loss associated with open surgery. He added that patients could be discharged within six hours once vital signs were stable, with minimal blood loss, faster recovery and preservation of vital bodily functions.
Ekwueme described the procedure as a major breakthrough for women with gynaecological conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian tumours and selected ectopic pregnancies. He disclosed that the surgery was provided free of charge as part of TPC’s corporate social responsibility, noting that the economic losses linked to prolonged illness often exceed the cost of advanced medical care.
He also revealed that TPC has entered into a partnership with the Imo State Government to establish a robotic surgery centre, which he described as the first of its kind in Nigeria. The centre, he said, would focus on innovation, training and research, while helping to reduce medical tourism abroad. “This revolution has just started. With the right partnerships and vision, Nigeria can become a hub for advanced medical care, training and research,” he added.
Also speaking, a Consultant Gynaecologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof. Yusuf Oshodi, said the patient was thoroughly evaluated and found suitable for robotic-assisted surgery.
He noted that the tumour was benign and that the precision of robotic surgery allowed for removal of only the affected tissue without compromising the patient’s fertility. “She will be relieved of the pain she has endured for six months, without damage to surrounding structures,” Oshodi said.
