15/02/2026
TAMALE TEACHING HOSPITAL EXPANDS LAPAROSCOPIC PRACTICE AND SURGICAL TRAINING
Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) has taken a significant step in advancing minimally invasive surgery with the successful performance of laparoscopic procedures. This initiative reinforces TTH’s role as a centre of excellence for modern healthcare delivery in Ghana and beyond.
Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) is a surgical procedure used to treat urinary obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate. Using laparoscopic technology, a specialised instrument known as a resectoscope is introduced through the tip of the p***s and guided through the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder. This allows surgeons to remove excess prostate tissue obstructing urine flow without the need for external incisions.
On Monday, 19th January 2026, surgeons at the TTH successfully performed a laparoscopic TURP on a male patient diagnosed with advanced and metastatic prostate cancer. The patient presented with severe bleeding and acute urinary retention following cancer invasion of the bladder neck. Led by Prof. Edwin Yenli, a urologist, the surgical team employed a laparoscopic endoscopic system to effectively control the bleeding and remove the obstructing tumor tissue, thereby restoring a clear urinary channel and improving the patient’s quality of life.
In addition to the TURP procedure, the surgical team also carried out a laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy on a 30-year-old man who presented with acute appendicitis. These procedures form part of the hospital’s broader strategy to expand laparoscopic practice while strengthening hands-on training for surgical teams.
Unlike traditional open surgery, laparoscopic surgery is associated with minimal tissue trauma, reduced post-operative pain, a lower risk of infection, and shorter hospital stays. The introduction and scaling up of these techniques therefore offer renewed hope to patients requiring complex surgical care.
Speaking after the procedures, Prof. Edwin M.T. Yenli noted that prostate enlargement remains one of the reasons men over the age of 40 seek medical attention. While many cases are benign, others are linked to cancer or infection, making early diagnosis and appropriate intervention critical.
He emphasised that the availability of laparoscopic services at TTH represents a major milestone in the advancement of urological and general surgical care in northern Ghana.
Also commenting on the development, Musah Yakubu, a senior resident, encouraged men, particularly those above 40 years to seek early medical evaluation for urinary symptoms, stressing that timely diagnosis can prevent complications and significantly improve treatment outcomes.
TTH reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to modern, minimally invasive surgical services as part of its mission to improve healthcare quality, training, and outcomes across northern Ghana.