By Onaolapo Olalekan Oduola
LAGOS — Nigeria has taken a significant step in the advancement of urological care with the commissioning and deployment of a 160-watt Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) system, a minimally invasive technology designed for the treatment of benign enlargement of the prostate.
The commissioning took place at Grandville Medical Centre, 76 Femi Ayantuga Crescent, Surulere, Lagos, bringing together medical professionals and other stakeholders in the healthcare sector.
Speaking with Mockingbird Online Daily Newspaper, Dr. Taiwo Opeyemi Alabi, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Highend Urology and Think Robotic and Health Limited, described the technology as an important development in the management of prostate-related conditions.
Dr. Alabi, an endourologist, explained that endourology involves treating urological conditions through minimally invasive techniques, often using the urinary passage to access and treat affected areas without making external surgical cuts on the patient's body.
According to him, when HoLEP is performed by appropriately trained specialists and with the proper equipment, complications are generally limited. He noted that temporary urinary-control difficulties may occur in some patients, while significant bleeding is less common because the laser technology can help control bleeding during the procedure.
First Procedures and Specialist Training
Dr. Alabi disclosed that the newly deployed 160W system is already being used for surgical procedures as part of a specialised workshop aimed at strengthening the capacity of Nigerian urologists.
He said a procedure was scheduled for the day of the interview, with additional cases planned for the following day.
He further disclosed that an experienced international urological specialist from China had been invited to Nigeria to support the training of Nigerian urologists and contribute to the effective deployment of the technology.
The training, according to Dr. Alabi, is intended not only to introduce the equipment but also to ensure that Nigerian specialists acquire the expertise required to use the system safely and effectively.
HoLEP and Concerns About Sexual Function
Addressing concerns among patients about whether prostate treatment could affect sexual activity, Dr. Alabi explained that HoLEP is primarily used for benign prostatic enlargement (BPE/BPH) and should not be confused with procedures performed for prostate cancer.
He said the procedure removes the enlarged prostate tissue responsible for urinary obstruction and is different from the treatment approaches used when prostate cancer is diagnosed.
Dr. Alabi also addressed concerns about sexual function, explaining that patients undergoing treatment for benign prostate enlargement should discuss individual expectations and possible sexual side effects with their urologist before surgery.
Why Prostate Health Matters Among Black Men
The urologist also used the occasion to draw attention to prostate health among Black men.
According to Dr. Alabi, Black men face a significant burden of prostate diseases, including prostate cancer, and he stressed the importance of early medical evaluation.
He gave the example of a patient scheduled for treatment during the workshop whose prostate, according to him, was approximately 400 millilitres, compared with what he described as an average prostate volume of about 30 millilitres.
Dr. Alabi explained that very large prostates can present additional treatment challenges, making technologies capable of effectively removing enlarged tissue and controlling bleeding particularly relevant.
Call for Prostate Cancer Awareness
Beyond the new technology, Dr. Alabi called for increased awareness of prostate cancer and regular medical checks among men.
He particularly encouraged men to discuss prostate cancer screening with qualified healthcare professionals, noting that the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test may form part of an individual's assessment, depending on age, risk factors and medical advice.
He urged men not to wait until they develop significant urinary symptoms before seeking medical attention.
The introduction of the 160W HoLEP system marks another development in Nigeria's expanding minimally invasive urological treatment capacity, while the accompanying specialist workshop is expected to provide Nigerian practitioners with additional exposure to advanced prostate-treatment techniques.
Interview conducted by:
Onaolapo Olalekan Oduola
Founder/Editor-in-Chief
Mockingbird Online Daily Newspaper
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