First Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Esophagectomy at A J Hospital
Mangaluru: Doctors at A J Hospital and Research Centre, Mangaluru successfully performed the first Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic radical esophagectomy (surgery for cancer of the food pipe) recently.
This was done on a 37-year-old female hailing from Shivamogga District who was suffering from cancer of the food pipe which was initially treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation. This is a minimally invasive form of surgery for esophageal cancer wherein the entire esophagus (food pipe) is mobilized inside the chest using three small holes (Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery – VATS). The team of doctors involved 2 surgical gastroenterologists – Dr Rohan Shetty and Dr.Ashwin Alva K and senior anesthetist Dr Trivikram Tantry who provided with single lung ventilation using double lumen endotracheal tube.
There are several advantages of this less invasive modality of esophageal surgery compared to the conventional techniques of transhiatal (mobilizing the esophagus blindly in the chest) and the thoracotomy approach (opening the chest). This technique avoids the opening of the chest which decreases the complications associated with it like lung infections, atelectasis, pleural effusion, pneumonia etc which in turn leads to faster recovery of the patient. It also is less painful, cosmetically more appealing as ugly scars can be avoided. Faster recovery and mobilization of the patient translates into lesser hospital stay as well as a cost-effective technique when compared to the traditional modalities.
A J Hospital constantly strives to raise the bar on patient care by imbibing the latest cutting-edge technology blended with skill and expertise. We extend full support to our team of doctors in their quest for scaling new heights in the days to come.
For more information regarding this surgery, you may please call Dr. Rohan Shetty, Consultant Surgical Gastroenterologist, A J Hospital & Research Centre at 94004 64277.