LASUTH Begins LASER Treatment for Kidney Stones

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has commenced the LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) treatment for kidney stones, making it the first public health institution to perform this treatment.

On October 28, 2021, the organisation successfully performed its first LASER lithotripsy and became the only state tertiary institution with a full upper tract endoscopic and LASER facility which can be accessible by the residents of Lagos State and its environs.

A Consultant Urologist, Dr Oluwaseun Akinola, said “before now, the care for kidney stones had not been readily accessible but the present management of LASUTH, under the leadership of the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, has now made it possible as the first surgery was carried out today by a complete team of local health professionals.

He pointed out that this new development for patients would mean, access to more affordable healthcare, fewer scars and a faster recovery rate that allow patients to leave for home in two days.

Dr Akinola, therefore, encouraged the general public to care for themselves by making it a habit to drink at least three litres of water on a daily basis since 90 per cent of kidney stone cases are caused by dehydration; reduce salt intake, and generally maintain a healthy lifestyle.

He further charged the public to visit the hospital immediately they feel abnormal pains because if left untreated, kidney stones could develop into serious diseases that may cause total kidney collapse and eventual loss.

Also, the Professor of Urology at LASUTH, Prof. Stephen Odunayo Ikuerowo, explained that the LASER treatment will save patients the pain of opening up their upper urinary tract during surgery.

He explained that the LASER treatment is deployed through the urinary tract of the patient where the stone is broken and flushed out, confirming that LASUTH is the first public hospital to deploy LASER treatment for kidney stones in Lagos, and arguably in Nigeria.

Speaking on the cost implication of the treatment, Prof. Ikuerowo noted that the treatment in hospitals outside Nigeria takes a huge chunk from patients’ finances. However comparatively, patients in LASUTH would pay less than half of what obtains in private hospitals in the country.