Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has carried out an inaugural procedure called Ventricular Septal Defect Closure (VSD).

The process, which is performed on patients born with a hole in the heart, took place on June 20 this year at the facility’s cardiac catheterisation laboratory, and is the first in a tertiary health institution in the country.

Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Dr. Oluwaseye Oladimeji, who undertook the surgery, defined VSD as a type of heart procedure that closes a hole between the left and right ventricles.

He said the operation could be performed without making an incision in the chest wall, adding that the defect can be closed using a disc-like device.

Oluwaseye revealed that there are two ways to deal with holes in the heart, which are either to perform an open-heart surgery or undertake a non-surgical closure.

He said patients, who undergo this procedure, can be discharged two hours after VSD closure.

The medic noted that LASUTH is not resting on its oars in the provision of quality health solutions to Nigerians and other nationals.

His words: “It is worthy of note that, different kinds of procedures have been carried out in LASUTH’s cardiac catheterisation laboratory. So far, over 120 procedures have been successfully performed since the inception of this laboratory in the second quarter of 2022.

“The efforts of the current distinctive hospital management and staff, led by the unwavering and efficient Chief Medical Director, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, has produced continuous improvement in the delivery of excellent healthcare services in LASUTH.” (The Guardian)

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