Looking into the matter: Doctors given laparoscopic surgery training at HMC

It was the first time in K-P’s history that young doctors were trained to perform live laparoscopic surgeries

PESHAWAR:

For the first time in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s history, young doctors were trained to perform laparoscopic surgeries live from the operation theatre of Hayatabad Medical Complex’s surgical ward.

A laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves inserting a thin, lighted tube through an incision to look at a patient’s abdominal or pelvic organs.

The HMC surgical department organised a minimal access workshop at which doctors were trained on laparoscopic general and gynaecological procedures.

Called ‘Core Skills in Laparoscopic Surgery’, the workshop was addressed by qualified practitioners from the Lady Reading Hospital, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Hayatabad Medical Complex, the Institute of Kidney Diseases and the Rawalpindi Holy Family Hospital.

During the three-day session, trainee doctors were given hands-on training and also witnessed live surgeries at HMC’s operation theatre. In addition, the doctors were informed of safety procedures and complications that may arise from laparoscopic surgery.

Course director Professor Dr Shehzad Akbar told The Express Tribune that training young doctors at state-run hospitals in this concept, which is new for K-P, must be encouraged by the authorities.

“This technique helps the hospital administration discharge patients in a day or two, while surgical wounds heal sooner as compared to an open surgery,” Akbar said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 16^th, 2015.