Ipswich Hospital has become the second public hospital in Queensland to offer a total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) as a day surgery.
Obstetrics and Gynaecology Director Dr Kanapathippillai Sivanesan and Senior Staff Specialist Dr Mayooran Veerasingham are both skilled in using a laparoscope to remove a woman’s uterus solely via keyhole surgery.
Enhanced surgical recovery methods supported at Ipswich Hospital means patients can now return to the comfort of their own home within hours of surgery to continue their recovery.
“At Ipswich Hospital, about half of all hysterectomies over the past five years have been performed using a laparoscope, which is a tiny camera instrument inserted through a small cut to allow us to see into the abdomen and perform the hysterectomy via keyhole surgery,” Dr Veerasingham said.
“It’s a less-invasive surgery, requiring only a small cut to the abdomen, which means less bleeding and pain for the patient and an overall faster recovery.”
Typically, a patient would remain in hospital for one or two nights following a TLH. The introduction of day surgery means eligible patients can continue their recovery in the comfort of their home, with post-surgery care delivered via telehealth.
Dr Sivanesan said it was a great outcome for patients in the West Moreton region.
“Research shows that patient satisfaction is greater when they are supported to recover in their own home,” Dr Sivanesan said.
“Hospitals are busy, clinical environments where sleep and rest is often disrupted. So if you’re not acutely unwell, hospital is never the first choice for anyone to be.
“We’re pleased to be able to support people to recover more comfortably in their home using telehealth.”
Ipswich Hospital follows Gold Coast Health, which became the first public hospital in Queensland to perform a total laparoscopic hysterectomy as a day surgery.
“Patients here in West Moreton are benefiting from that relationship of shared information and expertise and we’re grateful to Gold Coast Health and its Medical Director Gynaecology, Dr Graham Walker, for their continued support,’’ Dr Veerasingham said.