Gynecological oncology surgeries have been practised in the Outaouais for nearly 3 years. Previously, patients were referred to either Montréal or Ottawa.

The gynecological oncology surgeon who handles cases in the Outaouais region must however balance his operating priorities with eight other gynecology surgeons, which limits room availability, especially for urgent procedures.

In order to increase surgical room availability for this type of intervention, the CISSS would like to be able to use other operating theatres in the Outaouais region.

Maniwaki’s operating theatre is being considered since it already has several pieces of equipment necessary for gynecological surgery. However, the operating room must acquire new equipment and upgrade some of its existing equipment in order to become fully efficient. Among this list of specialized equipment are forceps, needle holders, scissors, retractors, etc.

Surgery is an essential part of treatment for many types of cancer. To prevent a cancer from growing and spreading to surrounding tissues, it is important that surgery be performed as soon as the person is deemed medically ready to receive it. The standard established by the ministère de la Santé et des services sociaux in this regard is that 90% of medically fit patients are to undergo surgery in 28 days or less.

When it becomes impossible to meet this deadline, patients must be transferred out of the region.