Pretoria - Gauteng Health MEC, Hope Papo, has congratulated Head of General Surgery Professor Zach Koto and his team at Dr George Mukhari Hospital after successfully completing South Africa's first laparoscopically performed operation for blockages.
The operation follows the recent arrival of laparoscopic cameras worth R2 million bought for Dr George Mukhari Hospital. These cameras are to be used at surgery, cardiology, gynaecology and obstetrics units. They will also be used for urology and neurology surgeries.
The beneficiary was a 63-year-old pensioner. Cecil Mosupye, who became the first patient to undergo a laparoscopic aortobifemural bypass graft in South Africa, was excited to have been relieved from intense pain and is now well enough to be discharged.
Mosupye suffered from blockages in the arteries to his leg which was possibly caused by hypertension and years of heavy smoking.
"I have been in pain since February 2012, when I tried to walk or stand for some time, the pain worsened and without urgent medical assistance, I feared my leg would be amputated," said Mosupye, who admitted that doctors had warned him that his smoking habit was partly the cause of his illness.
"I am quitting and will live a healthy lifestyle from now on," he committed.
The pain in Mosupye legs has vanished since the surgery and he says he can't wait to go home.
Professor Kota said the procedure was different in that they did not have to cut open the abdomen area. "We made small openings to insert a landroscope camera," he said, explained adding that it is all thanks to the new equipment bought for the hospital.
Gauteng Health Department spokesperson, Simon Zwane, said another advantage of a non-invasive procedure such as this one is that patients recover quickly and they feel less pain.
"Many more patients are to benefit from this new equipment. This is one of the initiatives of the department to improve the delivery of healthcare in the province," Zwane said. - SAnews.gov.za
