Lagos hospital saves accident victim with rare liver surgery

The team at Orile-Agege General Hospital has successfully performed a complex, life-saving liver surgery on a patient with a severe liver injury.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, commended the hospital’s medical team on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, recognizing their outstanding achievement in saving the patient’s life.

The patient, 33-year-old Mr. Wasiu Abatan, suffered a grade three traumatic liver injury after a road traffic accident. Medical reports indicated a 10 cm longitudinal and 5 cm deep laceration on the right lobe of his liver, along with a contusion of the hepatic parenchyma. Classified under the American Association for Surgery of Trauma (AAST) as a severe case, the injury posed a significant mortality risk. Despite the odds, the surgical team at Orile-Agege General Hospital successfully performed an intricate operation that not only saved Abatan’s life but also ensured his full recovery.

At the commendation event held at the State Secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja, Prof. Abayomi stressed the importance of celebrating medical successes alongside challenges, praising the hospital’s ingenuity in executing an intricate liver repair. The surgical team employed advanced techniques such as surgicel packing and omental mobilization to stabilize the liver.

Dr. Sola Pitan, the Medical Director of Orile-Agege General Hospital, detailed the hospital’s emergency response, noting the swift coordination among critical units including emergency, surgery, radiology, anesthesia, and perioperative nursing. The patient received immediate laboratory and radiological investigations, which confirmed peritoneal fluid collection, necessitating an emergency exploratory laparotomy.

Consultant General Surgeon, Dr. Daniel Kehinde, who led the operation, described the complexity of the procedure, emphasizing that liver injuries of this magnitude are notoriously difficult to repair due to the liver’s delicate structure. The team evacuated over 300ml of accumulated blood, controlled hemorrhaging, and implemented an innovative approach by mobilizing the omentum from the transverse colon to wrap the liver injury site, aiding healing and preventing further bleeding.

Following the surgery, the patient was closely monitored in the High Dependency Unit (HDU) for seven days, receiving post-operative care including blood transfusions, intravenous infusions, and strict fluid management. After an additional five days in the general ward, Abatan was discharged, making a full recovery within 12 days post-operation.

During the commendation ceremony, Prof. Abayomi lauded the resilience of Lagos State’s healthcare system despite challenges such as brain drain, high patient loads, and resource constraints. He emphasized that the state remains committed to quality healthcare and investment in medical infrastructure to support such advanced procedures.

Dr. Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, praised Orile-Agege General Hospital’s emergency preparedness and leadership, particularly Dr. Pitan’s proactive approach in equipping and training his team to handle critical emergencies.

“This achievement underscores the importance of continuous investment in healthcare infrastructure and capacity development. Emergency preparedness is key in saving lives, and this case is a testament to that,” she stated.

Expressing gratitude, Abatan shared his emotional journey, recalling the pain and distress he endured before being admitted to Orile-Agege General Hospital. “Some hospitals turned me away, and I thought I was going to die. But the doctors and nurses here fought for my life. I will forever be grateful,” he said.

His mother, Mrs. Abatan, also thanked the Lagos State Government for prioritizing public healthcare and ensuring hospitals are well-equipped to handle emergencies.

The commendation ceremony honoured the medical team, presenting them with commendation letters signed by the Commissioner for Health. Among those recognized were:

• Surgical Team: Dr. Daniel Olaoye Kehinde (Consultant General Surgeon) and Dr. Samuel Olumide Folayan (Principal Medical Officer in General Surgery).
• Anaesthesia Team: Dr. Adeyinka Olayide Shittu (Consultant Special Grade I Anaesthetist), Dr. Oluyemisi Esther Gbadamosi, and Dr. Taiwo Olayemi Ogunmokun (Principal Medical Officers in Anaesthesia).
• Radiology Team: Dr. Oluwakemi Oluwayemisi Adunola (Consultant Special Grade I Radiologist) and Dr. Oluwatobi Great Iwalehin (Senior Medical Officer in Radiology).
• Hospital Administration: Mrs. Abimbola Adenike Adesegun (Director of Hospital Administration).
• Emergency Unit: Dr. Patricia Adebukunla Aderemi (Principal Medical Officer) and Dr. Alonge Bobby Oyakilome (Medical Officer II).
• Medical Laboratory Team: Mrs. Adijat Kubura Farri (Director of Medical Laboratory Services), Mrs. Felicia Balogun (Laboratory Technician), and Mrs. Grace Davies (Laboratory Scientist).
• Pharmaceutical Team: Mrs. Oluwajeda Folasade Kotun (Director of Pharmaceutical Services) and Mr. Joachim Hosu (Pharmacist).
• Nursing Team: Mrs. Oluwakemi Adeyinka (Apex Nurse and Director of Nursing Services), Miss Taiwo Adeleye (Director of Nursing Services and Service Delivery Head), and Mrs. Adetoun Sebanjo (Assistant Director of Nursing Services).
• Peri-Operative Nursing Team: Mrs. Shade Aliyu (Theatre Manager and Chief Peri-Operative Nurse), Mrs. Alaba Famuyiwa (Chief Nursing Officer), and Mrs. Adeyinka Adelodun (Senior Nursing Sister).