LHC pushing ahead with new surgical techniques
– faster, pain-free post-recovery period
DPI, Guyana, Monday, January 27, 2020
The surgical department at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) has made history with the recent completion of two complex surgical procedures.
The operations were performed by Cuban and Chinese specialists who used the opportunity to train local doctors about those techniques
The first surgery was a complete vaginal hysterectomy performed by Cuban Gynecologists Dr. Marlenis Esteris Plutin and Dr. Yanara Salas who were assisted by Guyanese Government Medical Officer Dr. Faith London and anesthesiologist, Marlievys Naranjo.
It is common for hysterectomies to be performed on women suffering various gynaecological conditions, such as uterine cervical elongation, uterine prolapse or uterine fibroids. However, the 46-year-old patient suffered from all three and therefore required a complete vaginal hysterectomy.
The complex surgery took two hours and was deemed successful with the post-recovery period being free of complications.
The second surgical procedure was conducted by a Chinese consultant, Dr. Li Quing, of the 15th Chinese Medical Brigade. Dr. Li performed a caesarian section and an appendectomy simultaneously, utilising a combined spinal and epidural anaesthesia (CSEA), for the first time in the hospital’s history.
He explained that “At the LHC, this kind of operation is usually performed under half body aesthesia [single spinal anaesthesia] but the maintenance time of this type is limited. The patient needed emergency C-Section to be performed simultaneously with an appendectomy; the operation time is longer.”
While the technique has been conducted in China and other medically developed countries, Dr. Li noted his satisfaction in making history at Linden. The patient was awake throughout the surgery and felt no pain during the process.
LHC’s Public Relations Officer Toshanna Allicock said the patient confirmed she was pain-free until two days after and it was bearable. Allicock also related that due to the appropriate concentration of drugs added to the extradural cavity, it did not affect the motor function of the lower limbs as is usually the case with the administration of single spine anaesthesia. The patient was also able to breastfeed her baby quite soon after since no intravenous or muscle numbing drugs were added.
“These are moments that demonstrate the level of care that we have for our patients. It is always a proud moment when our teams can work together to successfully perform such tasks to ensure the mission statement of the hospital is manifested,” Allicock said.
Notes:
Extradural cavity: Dura mater a thick membrane made of dense irregular connective tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It consists of two layers; the inner meningeal layer and the outer periosteal layer. The possible space between the layers of the dura mater is called the epidural space/cavity. The epidural space exists around both the brain and the spinal cord.
Uterine prolapse – is when the uterus descends toward or into the vagina. It happens when the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments become weak and are no longer able to support the uterus.
Uterine fibroids – are abnormal growths that develop in or on a woman’s uterus. Sometimes these tumours become quite large and cause severe abdominal pain and heavy periods. In other cases, they cause no signs or symptoms at all.