How a 5-Year-Old Boy’s Heart Was Miraculously Rebuilt in Lagos — After 15 Hours on the Operating Table

A five-year-old boy born with a life-threatening heart defect is now on the road to recovery after a marathon 15-hour open-heart surgery at Duchess International Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos.

Known only as Master D, the young patient’s condition, Tetralogy of Fallot—posed serious risks, but a team of surgeons and specialists pulled off a complex repair over three days, from May 19 to 21.

Consultant Cardiothoracic and Pediatric Surgeon Dr. Mudasiru Salami, who led the operation, said the procedure was a success. “Master D’s recovery is going well, and the team worked tirelessly to fix critical defects in his heart,” he said.

The surgery involved closing a hole between the heart’s chambers, widening a narrowed artery, and addressing thickened heart muscle,  all delicate repairs that required expertise and careful coordination.

Hospital CEO Dr. Adetokunbo Shitta-Bey praised the staff’s dedication, calling the success a testament to the hospital’s commitment to world-class care.

Master D’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ademola Adetona, were overcome with emotion. “We were scared for our son, but the hospital gave us hope and saved his life,” Mrs. Adetona said tearfully. “The doctors and nurses are truly angels.”

This remarkable surgery highlights the strides being made in Nigerian healthcare, with local hospitals now able to handle complicated procedures that once seemed out of reach.

In a related development, the federal government is set to open three new cancer centers next week, aiming to improve treatment access for thousands and train hundreds of new specialists — a bold move to strengthen Nigeria’s health system.

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