Lagos general hospital performs rare surgery on patient with severe liver issue

Admin I Thursday, March 27, 2025

 

LAGOS, Nigeria – In a remarkable display of medical expertise and teamwork, the medical and management team at Orile-Agege General Hospital, Lagos, successfully performed a complex life-saving surgery on a patient with a severe liver injury.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, formally received and commended the hospital’s medical team on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in recognition of their outstanding achievement.

The patient, 33-year-old Mr. Wasiu Abatan, suffered a grade three traumatic liver injury following a road traffic accident. He was diagnosed with a 10 cm longitudinal and 5 cm deep laceration on the right lobe of his liver, along with a contusion of the hepatic parenchyma.

The injury was classified under the American Association for Surgery of Trauma (AAST) as a severe case, typically associated with high mortality rates. Despite the odds, the team at Orile-Agege General Hospital not only saved his life but ensured his full recovery.

During the commendation event at the State Secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Abayomi highlighted the importance of recognizing medical successes, stating that while healthcare challenges are often publicized, the efforts of dedicated professionals must also be celebrated. He praised the team for their ingenuity in performing an intricate liver repair using advanced surgical techniques, including the innovative use of surgicel packing and omental mobilization to stabilize the liver.

Medical Director of Orile-Agege General Hospital, Dr. Sola Pitan recounted the intense medical intervention that saved Abatan’s life. He revealed that the hospital’s emergency response system was activated upon learning about the patient’s condition, ensuring that all critical units, emergency, surgery, radiology, anesthesia, and perioperative nursing, were on standby. This preparedness played a key role in the swift 45-minute response time from arrival to the commencement of surgery.

“Upon arrival, Mr. Abatan was in severe painful distress, with altered sensorium and abdominal guarding, indicating internal bleeding. Immediate laboratory and radiological investigations confirmed peritoneal fluid collection, necessitating an emergency exploratory laparotomy,” Dr. Pitan explained.

The surgeon who performed the surgery, Dr. Daniel Kehinde described the complexity of the procedure, emphasizing that liver injuries of this magnitude are difficult to repair due to the organ’s delicate structure. He explained that his team evacuated over 300ml of accumulated blood, controlled hemorrhaging, and used innovative techniques to stabilize the damaged liver tissue.

“We mobilized the omentum from the transverse colon, carefully wrapping it around the liver injury site to aid healing. This technique, combined with meticulous suturing of the liver capsule, prevented further bleeding and allowed the liver to regenerate,” Dr. Kehinde stated.

He explained that following the surgery, the patient was closely monitored in the High Dependency Unit (HDU) for seven days, receiving post-operative care including blood transfusions, intravenous infusions, and strict fluid management.

“After another five days in the general ward, he was discharged 12 days post-operation, marking a successful recovery”, he said.

During the commendation event, Prof. Abayomi reflected on the resilience of Lagos State’s healthcare system, acknowledging the challenges of brain drain, high patient loads, and resource constraints. He stressed that despite these hurdles, the ability of local hospitals to execute complex surgical procedures successfully is a testament to the state’s commitment to quality healthcare.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi echoed these sentiments, commending the emergency preparedness and strong leadership at Orile-Agege General Hospital. She noted that Dr. Pitan’s proactive approach in equipping and training his team ensured their readiness to handle critical emergencies, such as Abatan’s case.

“This achievement reinforces the need for continued investment in healthcare infrastructure and capacity development.

Emergency preparedness should be a top priority for all medical institutions because we never know when the next life-threatening case will arrive,” she remarked.

A visibly emotional Mr. Abatan and his mother, Mrs. Abatan, expressed their profound gratitude to the hospital’s medical team. “I was in so much pain, and some hospitals turned me away. I thought I was going to die. But the doctors and nurses here fought for my life, and today, I am standing here. I will forever be grateful,” he said.

Mrs. Abatan also thanked the Lagos State Government for prioritizing public healthcare development, acknowledging the significant role the administration played in ensuring the hospital was well-equipped to handle such an emergency.

During the event, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi alongside the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi and the patient, Mr. Wasiu Abatan presented commendation letter signed by the Commissioner to the dedicated team of medical professionals who played a vital role in the surgical intervention.

Leading the team was Dr. Adesola Pitan, the Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, alongside Dr. (Mrs.) Temitope Iyadunni Bakare, the Director of Clinical Services & Training, a distinguished Consultant Special Grade I in Family Dentistry. Also receiving commendation were Dr. Urabia Prisca Izuka, Dr. James Adeola Asa, and Dr. Adesegun Adefolajimi Odukomaiya, all Deputy Directors of Clinical Services & Training.

In the surgical team, Dr. Daniel Olaoye Kehinde, a Consultant General Surgeon, and Dr. Samuel Olumide Folayan, a Principal Medical Officer in General Surgery, were acknowledged for their expertise and precision. Their efforts were complemented by the anaesthesia team, which included Dr. Adeyinka Olayide Shittu, a Consultant Special Grade I Anaesthetist, and Dr. Oluyemisi Esther Gbadamosi, Dr. Taiwo Olayemi Ogunmokun, both Principal Medical Officers in Anaesthesia.

The commendation also extended to the radiology team, with Dr. Oluwakemi Oluwayemisi Adunola, a Consultant Special Grade I Radiologist, and Dr. Oluwatobi Great Iwalehin, a Senior Medical Officer in Radiology, for their crucial role in diagnostics and imaging support.

Administrative excellence was also recognized, with Mrs. Abimbola Adenike Adesegun, Director of Hospital Administration, ensuring seamless coordination. In the emergency unit, Dr. Patricia Adebukunla Aderemi, a Principal Medical Officer, and Dr. Alonge Bobby Oyakilome, a Medical Officer II, were commended for their prompt and life-saving interventions.

The medical laboratory team, comprising Mrs. Adijat Kubura Farri, Director of Medical Laboratory Services, Mrs. Felicia Balogun, a Laboratory Technician, and Mrs. Grace Davies, a Laboratory Scientist, received accolades for their precision and efficiency. Additionally, the pharmaceutical team, represented by Mrs. Oluwajeda Folasade Kotun, Director of Pharmaceutical Services, and Mr. Joachim Hosu, a Pharmacist, was praised for their indispensable contributions.

The nursing team, a crucial pillar of patient care, was also lauded. Leading this unit were Mrs. Oluwakemi Adeyinka, Apex Nurse and Director of Nursing Services, and Miss Taiwo Adeleye, Director of Nursing Services and Service Delivery Head. Other notable mentions include Mrs. Adetoun Sebanjo, Assistant Director of Nursing Services, and Mrs. Mojisola Ademulegun and Mrs. Olanike Ayoola, both key figures in the emergency room nursing team.

Special commendation was given to the peri-operative nursing team, including Mrs. Shade Aliyu, the Theatre Manager and Chief Peri-Operative Nurse, Mrs. Alaba Famuyiwa, Chief Nursing Officer, and Mrs. Adeyinka Adelodun, a Senior Nursing Sister. Their meticulous approach and dedication to surgical procedures were recognized as instrumental to the intervention’s success.

Additional acknowledgments were given to Mrs. Oluwakemi Agboola-Olowookere, Chief Nursing Officer and Hospital Manager, Mrs. Adenik Akinla, Chief Nursing Officer and Nurse Anaesthetist, and Mrs. Adeola Idowu, Assistant Director of Nursing Services and Ward Manager. The contributions of Mrs. Olusola Ejimokun, Assistant Chief Nursing Officer at the High Dependency Unit, also did not go unnoticed.

This commendation highlights the collaborative effort and exceptional dedication of these healthcare professionals in ensuring the success of the surgical intervention. Their service continues to set a standard of excellence in patient care within the state’s healthcare system.

This milestone at Orile-Agege General Hospital underscores the remarkable progress in Lagos State’s healthcare system, particularly in trauma care and emergency response. As Lagos continues to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure, this life-saving feat serves as a shining example of what is possible with well-trained professionals, proper medical equipment, and a coordinated healthcare system.

The event concluded with a renewed commitment from the Lagos State Ministry of Health to continue supporting its medical personnel, ensuring that hospitals remain equipped, staffed, and prepared to handle emergencies effectively.

With this historic surgical success, Orile-Agege General Hospital has set a new benchmark for medical excellence in Lagos State, proving that with skill, innovation, and teamwork, even the most life-threatening conditions can be overcome.