Shimla's IGMC hospital successfully performed Himachal Pradesh's first robotic surgery for colon cancer on a migrant labourer. Doctors said the complex procedure marks a major milestone for government healthcare in the state.
In a major breakthrough in advanced cancer care, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) has claimed to have performed Himachal Pradesh's first robotic surgery for colon cancer successfully, marking a significant milestone in government healthcare services in the state.
The complex robotic-assisted surgery was performed on May 20 on a migrant labourer working in Kinnaur who was diagnosed with colon cancer. Doctors said the patient is recovering well and started taking normal food within four days of the operation.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Head of the Department of Surgery Dr Puneet Mahajan, cancer surgeon Dr Yashpal and surgeon Dr Rahul Rao termed the procedure a major achievement for the state-run hospital.
Advantages and Affordability
"This was a highly complex robotic-assisted resection surgery for colon cancer and, to the best of our knowledge, the first such procedure performed in Himachal Pradesh," said Dr Yashpal. Doctors said robotic surgery offers major advantages, including minimal blood loss, reduced pain, smaller incisions and faster recovery compared to conventional surgery.
According to the medical team, the same procedure costs nearly Rs 5 lakh in private hospitals, whereas the surgery at IGMC was completed at an estimated cost of around Rs 30,000, bringing advanced treatment within reach of economically weaker patients.
Expanding Robotic Surgery at IGMC
Dr Puneet Mahajan said the Surgery Department has so far conducted 38 robotic surgeries, while the Department of Gynaecology has carried out six such procedures, taking the total number of robotic surgeries at IGMC to 44. "Most robotic procedures conducted so far include gall bladder surgeries, hernia operations and stomach cancer surgeries. Patients who can afford robotic procedures have now started approaching IGMC as well," he said.
Dr Rahul Rao said the May 20 surgery was particularly challenging because of the complexity of the tumour and the precision required during the procedure.
Future Plans and Challenges
Doctors said the successful operation has strengthened the hospital's plans to expand robotic surgery services for more complicated procedures in the future. "Robotic surgery cannot currently be provided free for all patients because of the high cost of consumables and maintenance, but the matter has been taken up with the government," the doctors said.
The medical team said the introduction of affordable robotic surgery at IGMC would provide major relief to poor and needy patients in Himachal Pradesh by making world-class healthcare accessible within the state.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)