MBOMBELA- Rob Ferreira Hospital has achieved a significant surgical milestone.
This is after surgeons successfully removed a Wilms’ tumour on a child with thrombus extending from the left renal vein into the IVC, followed by IVC venotomy.
The child had a kidney cancer called Wilms which was operated and removed. The tumor caused an obstruction of the veins draining the kidney, which was complicated by a blood cloth extending from the renal vein to the big vein draining blood from the legs, pelvis and abdomen (body)all the way to the heart.
The Department Of Health says during the procedure, parts of the veins had to be removed and reconstructed, to allow blood to flow freely from the kidneys to the whole body.
The doctors who operated on the child include Dr Dave Tasker who is the head of the clinical unit at Rob Ferreira, a paediatric surgeon from Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town, Dr Omar Khamag, Dr Paul Nepgen as an anaesthesia consultant.
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This type of operation is said to the first of its kind to be performed at a public hospital in the province. MEC for Health, Sasekani Manzini has commended the hospital for the successful procedure stating that the aim is to expand services order to manage complicated cases within the province.
“We are delighted and proud of our doctors for doing such a massive job. The fact that this operation is the first of its kind to be performed in our public hospital means a lot for us and more, especially people of the province.This is one positive achievement that demonstrates our commitment to bringing better health services to our people. Well done to Rob Ferreira Hospital and the team of doctors who performed the operation. To us, this is what we call, Umehluko wezempilo ebantwini“, she said.
