By Cornelius Kabwe
A 62-year-old man referred from Kitwe is recovering well after specialists at Ndola Teaching Hospital successfully performed the Copperbelt Province’s first endoscopic transnasal surgery to remove a pituitary tumour during a four-and-a-half-hour operation.
The successful procedure marks another major milestone in the growth of neurosurgical services at Ndola Teaching Hospital and demonstrates the hospital’s increasing capacity to provide highly specialised surgical care closer to home.
The patient had been experiencing persistent headaches and gradually worsening eyesight. Following clinical assessment, a CT scan and MRI were conducted, confirming the presence of a pituitary tumour.
After careful evaluation and weeks of preparation by a multidisciplinary team, specialists at Ndola Teaching Hospital successfully carried out the complex procedure, making it the first surgery of its kind to be performed on the Copperbelt.
A pituitary tumour is a growth that develops in the pituitary gland, a small gland located at the base of the brain that plays an important role in controlling the body’s hormones.
Although the gland is small, it sits in a delicate area surrounded by structures responsible for vision and major blood vessels supplying the brain.
As a tumour grows, it can put pressure on these structures, resulting in symptoms such as headaches and vision problems.
Unlike traditional approaches that may require opening the skull, the surgical team used a modern endoscopic transnasal technique, allowing them to access and remove the tumour through the patient’s nasal passage. Using a tiny camera and specialised surgical instruments, the team carefully reached the tumour, relieved pressure on surrounding structures, and protected the nearby nerves and blood vessels.
The operation was completed successfully without injury to the major surrounding structures, and the patient continues to recover well.
The endoscopic transnasal approach is considered a minimally invasive technique that allows surgeons to reach selected tumours through the natural nasal pathway. It can result in reduced surgical trauma, less postoperative discomfort and faster recovery compared to traditional open surgical approaches in suitable patients.
In line with the Government’s vision of decentralising specialist healthcare services, this milestone demonstrates that complex pituitary tumour surgery can now be performed successfully at Ndola Teaching Hospital.
The achievement reduces the need for patients to travel long distances for specialised care, easing the financial and emotional burden associated with referrals while improving access to advanced neurosurgical services.
The successful surgery highlights the commitment of Ndola Teaching Hospital towards expanding specialised healthcare services and strengthening its role as a referral centre capable of providing advanced medical procedures to patients across the Copperbelt and beyond.
The achievement serves as a source of hope for patients and communities, demonstrating that even highly complex surgical procedures can now be successfully performed locally as the hospital continues to expand its specialist services.
The multidisciplinary team involved in the successful procedure comprised Consultant Neurosurgeons Dr. Gerald Musa and Col. Dr. Keith Simfukwe; Anaesthetists Mr. Malombola Chikontwe and Mr. Lungoya Musunga; Scrub Nurse Sr. Priscah Nkhata; Theatre Runner Mr. Yowano; Senior Resident Medical Officer Dr. Afriyie Kwesi; Intern Dr. Wami Mumba; and General Surgeon Dr. Chali Chibuye , Imaging Senior Radiographer Mr. Mwamba Simwamza;
Ndola Teaching Hospital continues to work towards improving access to quality specialised healthcare services through innovation, teamwork and the dedication of its healthcare professionals.
Ndola Teaching Hospital Public Relations Department