A team of Nigerian medical specialists at a Lagos health facility, Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Victoria Island, has performed the first Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) procedure in Nigeria.
TIPS is a procedure that uses imaging guidance to connect the portal vein to the hepatic vein in the liver.
The team of local medical experts was said to have carried out the Vascular and Interventional Radiology procedure, an independent medical specialty that employs minimally invasive, image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat diseases in nearly every organ system.
The team led by Dr Hammed Ninalowo, a US-trained Vascular and Interventional Radiologist, performed the surgery to correct liver cirrhosis.
Ninalowo described the milestone of his team, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria, as exciting.
He said,
“It is exciting to be able to perform the first TIPS procedure in Nigeria. With various techniques such as angiography, angioplasty, stenting, thrombolysis, embolization, ablation, we are happy to provide an alternative procedure for patients, one that is favourable for the patient.”
Medical Director of EuraCare, Dr Tosin Majekodunmi stressed that the success of the procedure is a testament to the hospital’s innovation and professionalism.
He added that the hospital, through its team of experts and cutting edge medical equipment, is committed to reducing medical tourism among Nigerians.
“As the leading multi-specialist hospital in Nigeria, we are committed to providing excellent care for our patients and procedures like TIPS, which requires complex interventional radiology allow us to showcase our expertise especially to people who normally would prefer to travel abroad for procedures,” Majekodunmi said.
According to the team of experts, Interventional radiology treatments can be the first-line care option for a wide variety of conditions like blocked fallopian tubes, malignant tumours in lung and liver cancer, fibroids and non-healing ulcers on diabetic patients.
It does not involve open surgery allowing for small to no incisions, short hospital stay, quick recovery time, less scarring, reduced blood loss and reduced apprehension.
Euracare is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eurapharma, the CFAO Group’s healthcare arm.
