A new one-stop Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) centre at Singapore’s most established tertiary hospital for women, will enable women to have same day diagnosis and MIS treatment of gynaecological conditions such as abnormal bleeding, polyps, retained Intra-Uterine Contraceptive Device, small fibroids and endometriosis, as well as selected ectopic pregnancies.
The KK MIS Centre comes at a time when MIS procedures are increasingly used for O&G conditions.
At KKH, the number of MIS surgeries performed for O&G conditions have been increasing steadily. The most popular and effective conditions treated by MIS are ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cysts, and interval ligations. Compared to open surgery, 97 percent of ectopic pregnancies and 72 percent of ovarian cysts were treated with MIS, from January to July this year. MIS is also used for almost 100 percent of all interval ligations.
Dr Bernard Chern, Head of MIS Unit, KKH, explains why MIS procedures are increasingly used, “We recognise the benefits of the surgery and have been rigorously training our specialists in this area, under internationally renowned laparoscopists. In the hands of experienced laparoscopists, the surgery is as safe as, if not safer, than open surgery.”
“With a very well structured training system in place and seamless coverage in the hospital round the clock, we have more gynaecologists who are conversant with such surgeries.”
In addition, shorter downtime, faster recovery and less pain, makes MIS a treatment of choice for patients.
$80,000 Training Facility Set Up to Boost MIS Training
One of the new facilities at the MIS Centre includes an $80,000 MIS Basic Dry Training Lab. The lab, part of a $230,000 sponsorship programme from Tyco Healthcare, is the equivalent of a simulator for pilots, in which O&G specialists have unlimited opportunities to fine tune their laparoscopic skills on the “pelvic trainers”.
“With the rising popularity of MIS procedures for O&G conditions, it is our responsibility, as Singapore’s major hospital for women, to train the country’s doctors and nurses who want to
specialise in this field. We are very appreciative to Tyco for their faith in our MIS standards,” said Dr Chern.
In addition to regional and international fellows in other surgical disciplines, all local basic and advanced trainees in O&G will be accredited with laparoscopic skills through this centre. Tyco Healthcare will contribute $150,000 over three years, to establish a sponsorship programme for overseas fellows for attachment with KKH.
Said Mr Walta Tarca, President, Asia Pacific, Tyco Healthcare, “Tyco is honoured to have this opportunity to contribute towards the continuing medical education of local and regional MIS surgeons. KKH is our partner of choice, as the largest hospital in Singapore providing top class healthcare services for women and children. With the new training lab and regional training programme, we hope to bring MIS gynaecological surgeries to the next level.”
Since 1998, KKH have trained 27 fellows from China, India, Philippines, Belgium, Indonesia, Nepal, Myanmar, Malaysia, U.A.E., and Sri Lanka. This was an added reason behind Tyco’s decision to sponsor the training programme.
A memorandum of understanding will be signed between KKH and Tyco Healthcare Pte Ltd on the MIS Regional Fellowship Training Programme, in conjunction with the official opening of the new KK MIS Centre.
Official Opening of KK MIS Centre
Mr Bernard Chen, Chairman, Singapore Health Services, will officially open the new KK MIS Centre on Thursday 2 November 2006. An MOU signing ceremony between KKH and Tyco Healthcare will take place in conjunction with the opening ceremony.
MIS Unit
The unit works in collaboration with the Division of O&G and the Department of Paediatric Surgery to enhance Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) services and techniques including laparoscopy and hysteroscopy.
Range of Services: