Sokoto records first hip replacement surgery

SOKOTO State has recorded the first successful total hip joint replacement surgery.

The operation, which was carried out at a private hospital in the state, Bone and Joint Orthopaedic Hospital Limited, lasted two hours 40 minutes and involved three surgeons (a hip surgeon and two assistants) one anaesthetics and three peri-operative nurses.

The index case is a 65 year-old woman, Rukayya Mohammed, who is the wife of the district head of Wajakke in Wamakko local council of Sokoto State, whose hip had been badly affected by chronic arthritis.

The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Mohammed Oboirien, told newsmen that the patient who was suffering from severe pains and restriction of movement before the surgery was done penultimate Tuesday was now able to move around with the aid of a walker.

He said that until recently, total replacement of hip joint involving the two major parts was not common in Nigeria but that today the service was available because many Nigerians had acquired the training from India, Malaysia, Pakistan and the far east within the past five years.

He explained that human organs were not involved in the operation but that artificial models were required, adding that the Lagos-based company that manufactured the hip and implant had to bring its instruments to Sokoto for the surgery.

He believes that this development would lead to reduction in medical tourism and capital flight as patients now have access to this service at a considerably reduced cost.

According to him, the operation, which is about N800,000 in Sokoto costs about $2 million outside Nigeria, including the cost of transportation and other expenses.