LASUTH performs first cochlear transplant

Doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital have performed cochlear implantation on two patients in the hospital.

They performed the surgery alongside experts from the Cochlear Foundation in Germany.

Cochlear transplant is a major operation to correct hearing defect.

 The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Adewale Oke, who spoke to journalists on the surgery, noted that it was a major successful operation.

According to him, the hospital is the first to achieve such a feat in the country.

The beneficiaries of the operation, which cost about 46,000 Euro (N10m) are a five-year-old child and a 55-year-old-woman.

The foundation provided the expertise while LASUTH facilitated the surgery.

He said, “The two beneficiaries are now recuperating from the surgery. They will need at least between four and six weeks to heal. After that, they will start hearing. In the next few months or within a year, their speech and hearing would have improved tremendously.”

According to him, such a transplant is usually for patients who have suffered hearing loss as either a child or an adult.

Oke said the feat would help to restore hope, improve self-esteem and build social confidence in patients.

The Board Chairman, LASUTH, Dr.  Olatunde Williams, thanked the foundation and the hospital’s management for bringing succour to those living with hearing impairment.

The lead surgeon and Chairman, and Head, Ear and Throat Department of the University of Medical Center, Germany, Prof. Roland Laszing, said to reduce the population of people living with hearing loss, there was the need for early screening for children.