GMC Srinagar achieves feat

Srinagar, Jan 24: The Department of General and Minimal Access Surgery Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar has put its name on international radar by performing laparoscopic Whipple’s surgery in a shortest span of recorded time.

As per the statement, Prof Dr Mushtaq Chalkoo said this surgery is usually performed on patients suffering from pancreatic carcinoma and is routinely performed using open surgical techniques. The department has the distinction of having done its first Totally laparoscopic Whipple’s procedure.

However, this time the procedure was done in the shortest recorded time of 4 hours 45 minutes with a blood loss of 15 ml without blood transfusions. The surgery was performed by Prof Dr Mushtaq Chalkoo along with his team.

Patient was anaesthetised by Dr Arshi Taj, Associate Professor and her team. The patient was diagnosed with Cancer of Head of pancreas and was evaluated, assessed and optimised by the concerned surgical unit, before being subjected to surgery.

“The procedure went smoothly and uneventfully and the patient was off the bed on the first Postoperative day. Whipple’s surgery is being performed at higher centres like GMC Srinagar and SKIMS Soura routinely via open technique. Performing this surgery laparoscopically via keyhole incisions is challenging, but Imparts all the benefits of minimal access approach with early recovery, less Postoperative pain, less respiratory Complications and avoids complications of long incisions made in  open technique.”

While talking about this event, Prof Dr Mushtaq Chalkoo said that this is testimonial of  growth of laparoscopic surgery and minimal invasive techniques in the department of Surgery at GMC Srinagar.

Prof Chalkoo thanked the Principal for encouraging the faculty to touch new heights and appreciated the efforts of Heads of departments of Surgery and Anesthesia for their positive vision in this regard.