On July 15, 2024, Professor Bao Lijun, Physician Yuan Ting and Physician Zhao Minyi from the First Affiliated Hospital (FAH) of Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU) were sent to Malawi to further promote China-Africa Counterpart Hospital Cooperation Mechanism Project in conjunction with "The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University Improves Diagnosis and Treatment Capability of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Kamuzu Central Hospital in Malawi".
On the second day after arriving in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, the team communicated with Dr.Pricilla, President of Kamuzu Central Hospital and Director of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and then sorted out, assembled, debugged and re-installed the laparoscopic instruments in Kamuzu Central Hospital, explicitly listed the basic instruments of laparoscopic surgery, and trained the instrument nurses in instrument disinfection and maintenance. After discussion with Dr.Pricilla, it was decided to select an eligible female patient without complications who had the willingness to ligate fallopian tubes and perform laparoscopic bilateral salpingectomy.
After comprehensive preparation and patient selection, the team successfully performed laparoscopic bilateral salpingectomy for a 40-year-old woman on the morning of July 25. Preoperatively, Physician Yuan Ting delivered ultrasound examination of her uterus and bilateral appendages. Intraoperatively, Professor Bao Lijun and Physician Zhao Minyi gave a detailed explanation and demonstration on the key issues of the procedure, such as the selection of the position of observation hole and operation hole, how to establish pneumoperitoneum, the essentials of puncture, cautions in the use of energy equipment, and the observation of puncture opening after removing the trocar, etc. With the guidance and assistance of two Chinese physicians, Physician Dr.Pricilla completed unilateral salpingectomy. The patient was discharged smoothly the next day.
This is the first case of laparoscopic surgery in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Kamuzu Central Hospital. The expert team hopes to train a professional team that can independently carry out laparoscopic surgery for Kamuzu Central Hospital through this medical aid. Subsequently, FAH is scheduled to carry out online practical training, gradually popularize more complicated surgeries such as laparoscopic hysterectomy, and finally assist Kamuzu Central Hospital to establish a laparoscopic surgery center in Malawi, contributing to the development of local medical services in Malawi.
