Eldoret: MTRH Makes History with First Laparoscopic Surgery on Child
- Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret made history by successfully performing its first-ever laparoscopic surgery at the Shoe4Africa Children’s Hospital
- The minimally invasive procedure was conducted on a four-year-old boy with an undescended testis, previously treatable only through open surgery
- MTRH leadership, led by CEO Philip Kirwa, praised the collaborative effort of medical and support staff and pledged to expand access to advanced surgical care for children
TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
Eldoret’s leading paediatric hospital stepped into a new era of surgical care, and a four-year-old boy became the face of this medical breakthrough.
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Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH)’s Shoe4Africa Children’s Hospital in Eldoret successfully carried out its first laparoscopic surgery, marking a major milestone in paediatric healthcare in western Kenya.
The procedure, conducted earlier this week, was performed on a young boy diagnosed with an undescended testis, a condition that typically requires open surgery.
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But thanks to advancements in minimally invasive techniques, the surgical team opted for a less intrusive method known as laparoscopic orchidopexy.
Using a single 5mm port and two 3mm instrument sites, the first-stage surgery was completed with precision and minimal trauma.
In a remarkable turn of events, the child was awake and ready for discharge shortly after the operation, a clear sign of the efficiency and safety associated with laparoscopic procedures.
Peter Saula, head of the paediatric surgery department at MTRH, described the operation as a “historic step forward” in enhancing surgical outcomes and reducing recovery times for children.
“This marks the beginning of a new era. We’ve proven that advanced, minimally invasive paediatric surgery is not only possible here but can be done safely and effectively,” said Saula.
The success of the operation was attributed to the leadership of MTRH CEO Philip Kirwa, who noted that the hospital is committed to innovation and equitable healthcare.
“Our goal is to expand access to laparoscopic surgery across the region so more children can benefit from safer procedures with faster healing,” said Kirwa. “This success is a testament to teamwork and commitment from all involved.”
A full range of hospital departments contributed to the operation’s success, including anaesthesia, nursing, biomedical, supply chain, and cleaning teams.
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The theatre unit was coordinated by Nurse Manager Herbert Oloo, who led the surgical support team to ensure seamless execution.
This pioneering surgery signals MTRH’s broader commitment to investing in cutting-edge medical services, with hopes of integrating more minimally invasive procedures into paediatric care.
“We are just getting started,” Kirwa added. “The future is brighter for our children.”
KNH conducts world's first transhumeral TSR surgery
In a related story, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) made global headlines after successfully performing the world’s first Transhumeral Targeted Sensory Reinnervation (TSR) surgery.
The groundbreaking procedure, carried out during a specialised surgical camp in April, was performed on 22-year-old software engineering student Moses Mwenda, who had lost his left arm above the elbow earlier that year.
The complex operation lasted over seven hours and aimed to restore sensation to the stump of Mwenda’s missing arm.
Mwenda described the experience as nothing short of magical, saying feeling his missing hand again after believing it was gone forever was not just medicine, but rather magic.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
