Kidney stone needle op a first for SA
FRIDAY APRIL 06 2018 SOUTH Africa’s first-ever procedure to remove kidney stones using a needle was successfully performed by a team of urologists at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH) in KwaZulu-Natal.
Known as mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy surgery, the procedure involves a needle-puncture of the skin to access the stones and remove it, rather than using the riskier “open” surgery where inner-organs or tissue are exposed.
The KZN Health Department said patients who undergo kidney stone removal through traditional open surgery are normally hospitalised for seven to 10 days after surgery, compared with two to three days in the case of the percutaneous approach.
Dr EH Abdel Goad, who led the operation of three patients last week, said: “Our hospital carries the major burden of the management of urinary tract stones.
“Traditionally, percutaneous surgery (PCNL) was only done as an alternative to open surgery.
“However, access to the kidney was via a bigger 35f-hole due to the available instruments size.”
Goad said the risk of bleeding, losing the kidney, and at least some loss of nephrons, was the major obstacle for such surgeries.
“In the recent years, the instruments were modified to reach the smaller size of 12f (in comparison to 35f) which significantly minimised the risks associated with the traditional PCNL.
“I attended several meetings on improving the surgeries of miniPCNL.
‘THE PROCEDURE IS CHALLENGING. BUT WE OPERATED SUCCESSFULLY ON THREE PATIENTS’
The procedure is technically challenging. However, with the help of one of the local and international experts in traditional PCNL, Dr Haroon Patel, we were able to successfully operate on three patients. They were discharged after just two days,” said Goad.
The patients, who were aged 58, 66 and 62, were operated on recently and are all doing well.
KZN Health MEC, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, has congratulated the team of urologists on the achievement and urged them to keep up the good work.
“I commend our team of urologists who have made this ground-breaking operation of removing kidney stones using this high technique of just inserting a needle in the skin and getting them out.
“It’s the first of its kind and we welcome it. We would want to say to our people, ‘yes we are focusing on primary healthcare’, but we are still very happy to see such procedures that use such a high level of technology.
“We thank the doctors for the good work that they’ve done. May they continue doing well and being an inspiration to others.” – African News Agency (ANA)