GMC Srinagar achieves feat

Srinagar, July 23: Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar achieved a feat by performing a rare procedure today.

In a statement, Prof (Dr) Mushtaq Chalkoo said a 45-year old female perimenopausal with no medical co-morbidity presenting with four years pain in abdomen classically postprandial in nature with occasional loose stool.

“The lady had visited many physicians and surgeons of the state and was treated with no definite diagnosis. She had also visited a psychiatrist with the diagnosis of psychosomatic abdomen. This lady had lost weight as she was afraid of eating which used to give her pain. This patient was referred to us and was admitted through our OPD, assessed and evaluated in the ward. The diagnosis of MALS (Median Arcuate ligament syndrome) is difficult to reach clinically and only a slight suspicion on clinical grounds can lead a surgeon nearer to it,” the statement said.

Elaborating, he said “we asked for CT angiogram, which showed classical Median Arcuate ligament causing stenosis of celiac trunk with post stenotic dilatation.” “This patient was discussed with the radiologist and consensus generated to operate this patient with the technique of laparoscopic surgery, which gives them benefit of total cure,  overnight mobilisation and early recovery. To the records available; this is the first case of laparoscopic release of median arcuate ligament also referred to as Dunbar Syndrome done in the UT of J&K. The lady was successfully operated by laparoscopic technique and was up and above on the first Postoperative day,” the statement said.

The surgery was performed by Prof  Dr. Mushtaq Chalkoo and his team and Dr Arshi Taj and  her team. Surgery was completed in two hour. It is pertinent to mention here that Prof.Dr.Mushtaq Chalkoo is a founder of Bariatric surgery at GMC Srinagar and is recognised as Firstee in many high tech laparoscopic advanced surgeries at GMC Srinagar. He is working as senior professor and Head of Minimal Access Surgical unit at Department of Surgery GMC Srinagar. Prof Chalkoo is nationally and internationally recognised for his contributions in the field of minimal access surgery working in this field for last 20 years. He is a national patent award holder on Chalkoo’s retractor. He has been felicitated for his innovations in laparoscopy and minimal access surgery by Government of J&K. His contributions in the field of laparoscopy have been enrolled in World’s “ Who is Who” ; A prestigious publication from USA.

Prof.Chalkoo was awarded with the research excellence award in 2021 for his extensive publication and research work. Prof Chalkoo is a scientist of international repute with 75 publications, 133 paper presentations at local, national and international level. He has delivered invited keynote talks on his contributions and innovations in laparoscopic surgery globally, especially USA, Japan, Hongkong, Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai etc. His innovative published work  on Chalkoo’s technique, Chalkoo’s point, Chalkoo’s maneuver,Chalkoo’s retractor, Chalkoo’s stitch has received 12,500 citations with the research interest score of 6,400 .Prof . Chalkoo is an editor and editorial board member of more than 18 surgical journals of international repute.Beyond this Prof.Chalkoo is an author, poet, prolific writer and excellent orator . He has authored two books ,” My expressions” and “Pazzer- akh- Zheend “.Prof Chalkoo has his own YouTube channel with publication of 472 videos for academic and teaching purposes,which is highly watched globally.