Lagos Clinic Performs West Africa’s First Robotic Surgery On Woman

The Prostate Clinic (TPC) in Lagos has announced what it described as West Africa’s first robotic gynaecological surgery, marking a major expansion of its robotic surgery programme from male-focused treatments to women’s health interventions.

The procedure, carried out on Sunday, involved a young woman with an ovarian tumour.

Speaking on the milestone, TPC’s medical director, Kingsley Ekwueme, said, “Today, we are proud to extend that innovation to women’s surgeries.”

Ekwueme explained that the patient underwent a successful robotic procedure with rapid recovery. “With robotic surgery, we removed two large tumours. She will go home today and return to work tomorrow,” he said.

He highlighted the advantages of robotic surgery, noting that it reduces pain, blood loss, and prolonged hospital stays associated with traditional open surgery, allowing patients to resume normal activities within 24 hours.

“Within six hours, once vital signs are stable, the patient can eat and go home. Recovery is fast, blood loss is minimal, and vital functions are preserved,” he added.

Ekwueme described the procedure as transformative for treating fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian tumours, and selected ectopic pregnancies.

He revealed that the surgery was provided free under TPC’s corporate social responsibility programme, emphasising that prolonged illness often causes greater economic losses than advanced care costs.

The doctor also disclosed a partnership with the Imo State government to establish Nigeria’s first robotic surgery centre. “This revolution has just started. Nigeria can become a hub for advanced medical care, training and research,” he said.

Supporting the breakthrough, Consultant Gynaecologist at LASUTH, Yusuf Oshodi, said the 30-year-old patient was carefully evaluated and deemed suitable for robotic-assisted surgery.

“The tumour is benign, and robotic precision allows removal of affected tissue without compromising fertility. She will be free from six months of pain, without damage to surrounding structures,” he said.

Oshodi noted that many Nigerian women suffer silently from fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian tumours, and abnormal menstrual bleeding. He added that fibroids affect up to 70 per cent of women in some communities, although only 10 to 20 per cent experience severe symptoms, warning that delayed treatment can lead to complications such as anaemia and impaired heart function.

A UK-based Consultant Gynaecologist, Olaolu Aladade, also praised the advantages of robotic surgery over open procedures.

“With open surgery, complications and recovery time are higher. With robotic surgery, patients recover faster, return to work sooner and enjoy better psychological and economic outcomes,” he said.