On July 7, 2022, the 17th medical aid team from China (Sichuan) to Sao Tome and Principe completed the first-ever single-hole laparoscopic resection of a huge pelvic cyst in Sao Tome and Principe. The patient, a young woman, went to the medical team for treatment two months ago due to occasional abdominal pain. The examination found that there was a huge cyst with a diameter of 12 cm in her pelvic cavity. Through careful evaluation, the Chinese medical team successfully removed her left mesotubal cyst under the single-port laparoscopy, and preserved the fallopian tube and ovary for her. The patient was in good condition after operation and had been discharged from the hospital recently.
The members of a Cuban medical team and local medical staff observed and learnt from the surgery, and ‘Chinese medical team showed them the single-port laparoscopic surgery platform brought from China, gave an introduction of how to use it and shared experience with them, thus winning unanimous praises from them. Compared with ordinary laparoscopy, single-port laparoscopy has the advantages of minimal invasion and preservation of beautiful appearance. The patient was very satisfied with an only 2 cm tiny wound left, and expressed sincere gratitude to the Chinese medical team.
In 2019, WCH donated a complete set of laparoscopic equipment to the Central Hospital of Sao Tome and Principe through the Sino-Africa cooperation mechanism. Up to now, routine laparoscopic operations such as cholecystectomy, appendectomy, TAPP and salpingectomy have been conducted one after another successfully. Also this has made positive contributions to deepening the friendship between China and Sao Tome and Principe, and jointly building a health community between China and Africa.
