Most patients become petrified at the
very thought of having to undergo
surgery and one of the major worries is
the fact that hospitalization is
required. After all, hospitals can be
terrifying places for patients.
Fortunately, there is a gentle option
available for many patients who need to
undergo surgery, which does not require
overnight admission in hospital. This
option is called Day Care Surgery (also
known as ambulatory or same day
surgery).
The flagship of the UHMC is the
high-tech Ambulatory Surgical Services
Centre which has three ultra modern
operating theatres. There is also a
dental theatre and an endoscope suite.
We have a comfortable entertainment
lounge where visitors wait for the
patient to recover. Close relatives may
accompany the patients in the private en
suite rooms during recovery.
The preference of ambulatory surgical
services is due to intensive research
and development in cost effective
healthcare management. This is a new
global trend.
In the USA, for example about 50% of
elective surgery is now done on an
ambulatory basis.
Day care surgery has become increasingly
popular all over the world for several
other reasons. To begin with, due to the
tremendous advancement in technology,
many doctors now perform minimal
invasive surgical procedures. The use of
endoscopes requires very small
incisions. This means that the risk
involved in convectional major surgeries
can be minimized. In this form of
surgery, newer drugs are used for
anesthesia which allows quick recovery
of consciousness.
Patients can therefore go home on the
same day after the surgery and
recuperate where they are most
comfortable, that is in their own homes.
Modern painkillers are very powerful;
therefore, patients have less pain after
the operation and can continue with pain
relieving medications at home. It means
less time away from home, less time away
from work, and less disruption of the
patient’s schedule.
Ambulatory surgery gives various
benefits to the patients. They find it
less stressful, as the anxious ones are
comforted by relatives and do not have
to be isolated in a room. Moreover,
patients are unlikely to suffer from
separation anxiety, as they do not need
to be separated from their families
overnight which can be terrifying to
children.
Some patients may prefer to undergo
surgery in large hospitals hoping that
they are safer in view of their backup
facilities. This is paradoxical because
Ambulatory units have lower incidents of
complications due to the great care that
is undertaken in patient selection. All
services are rendered in a single unit,
which has been planned and operated
solely for their safety and convenience.
A high level of preparedness for
emergencies further enhances patient
safety.
Our mission to provide excellent
healthcare is supported by highly
trained and qualified theatre nurses who
are experienced in providing
professional nursing services. We
support their continuous professional
education to main high standards.
We are committed to world class safety
principles, practices and procedures in
providing surgical services. Here are
some of the services performed at the
ambulatory surgery centre.
General Surgery Cases
Revision of Scars, Keloids, and Skin
Grafting, Cosmetic Surgery, Surgical
Toilet, Drainage of Abscess, Biopsies
and Removal of Foreign Bodies, Needle
Diathermy, Circumcision, Herniorraphy,
Herniotomy, Umbilicalplasty Vasectomy,
Testicular Biopsy, Orchidectomy,
Orchidopexy Anal Dilatations ECG
Excision of Lesions, Lumps, Lymphomas,
Ganglion, Cysts, Polyps, Fistulae,
Piles, Corns, Warts, Nodular Biopsies
POS and Urethral Dilatation.
Surgeons: Mr. J. J. Thakkar, Mr.
J.R. Wambwa, Dr. Peter Mungai Ngugi, Dr.
S. M. Kanyi, Dr. Muturi Ndungu, and Dr.
Bernard Ndung’u,
Orthopedic surgery
Simple open and closed reduction of
fractures, Decompression carpal tunnel,
Tendon and Contructure repair, Digital
amputations Removal of Pins, Plates and
Screws, Minor Osteotomies Bone Biopsies
and arthroscopies.
Surgeons: Professor Mulimba, Professor
Gakuu and Dr. Mutiso.
Obstetric and Gynecology
All minor gynecological conditions
including: D & C, Laparoscopic T/L
Insertion and Removal of IUCD and Pap
Smears.
Surgeons: Dr. J. Kagia, Dr. P. Ngumbi,
Dr. N. Thagana, and Dr. M. D. Patel.
Ophthalmology
These include Cataract Extraction, Lens
Insertion, Squint Correction, Stye
Operation, and removal of foreign
bodies.
Surgeons; the surgeons in this area are
Dr. Millicent Kariuki, Dr. Soni Sumira
and Dr. Gichuhi.
Ear, Throat, and Nose (ENT)
Insertion of grommets, Ear
Syringing,Tonsillectomies,and
Adenoidectomies, Nasal Polypectomies,
Drainage Nasal Abscess, Oral Biopsy and
Auralscopies.
Surgeons in this area of specialization
is Dr. Irungu Ndirangu as well as those
with admission rights
Dental surgery
Tooth Extraction and Fillings Dental
Check-up and Scaling Disimpactions,
Corrective Bracing including
Ordontectomies.
Surgeons: Dr. Sapra, Dr. Mbugua, Dr.
Kanyogo, Dr. Salamba, and Dr. Kahugu.
Minimal Invasive Surgery
Some of the greatest strides in medical
research have been made in this field.
An incision of the observation camera
gives the surgeon an interior view of
the area of interest with great
accuracy. This enhances patient safety,
minimizes the scar and shortens the
recovery period.
Available services include Upper and
Lower GI Endoscopies, Direct
Bronchoscopes, Laryngoscopes,
Laparoscope’s, Cystoscopy, TUR BT
Proctoscopy Sigmodoiscopy Arthroscopy.
The various gastroentrologists,
urologists, and chest specialists housed
within the building and those with
admitting rights to the Day Surgery unit
perform these procedures. They include
Dr. Peter Mungai Ngugi, Dr. S. M. Kanyi,
Dr. Acharya, Mr. J. J. Thakkar, Dr. Rose
Kamenwa, and Dr. L. N. Gachare. Our
specialist consultants also include a
list of visiting Surgeons and
Anaesthetists.