A medical team in KwaZulu-Natal has successfully removed a brain tumour without making any external incisions, a first for the region. The complex operation, known as Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Pituitary Tumour Resection, was performed at Shelly Beach Hospital.
Groundbreaking Brain Tumour Removal Performed in KwaZulu-Natal
Yandisa Nxakama, a neurosurgeon at Shelly Beach Hospital, stated the achievement marks a new era of world-class healthcare for the region.
The surgical team utilized a camera system inserted through the nose to reach the tumour located at the base of the brain. The tumour originates from the pituitary gland.
Nxakama explained that if left untreated, the tumour’s growth can disrupt normal bodily functions and reduce hormone production due to compression.
While the procedure itself isn’t new, Nxakama emphasized its significance for the development of advanced healthcare services at the institution. “It demonstrates that the hospital is well equipped with modern surgical techniques,” he said.
Nxakama also noted a concern regarding access to this treatment for patients in the public healthcare system. Currently, Nkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital and, more recently, Greys Hospital are the primary public sector facilities in KwaZulu-Natal offering neurosurgery services.
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