Advancements in Robotic Surgery revolutionizing cancer treatment

Srinagar, May 13: North India’s leading healthcare provider BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, organized a press briefing in the city to discuss the advancements in robotic surgery which will be beneficial for patients suffering from cancer. The hospital also announced the regular OPD services which will be available at Max MedCentre in Srinagar and a team of doctors led by Dr. Surender Dabas, Senior Director & HOD- Surgical Oncology & Robotic Surgery, BLK-Max Cancer Centre will be visiting regular intervals. The OPD services will cater to the management of various types of cancer in the region without the hassle to travel to metro cities for primary consultations.
The press briefing was attended by Dr. Surender Dabas, Senior Director & HOD- Surgical Oncology & Robotic Surgery, and Dr. Ashwani Sharma – Director, Surgical Oncology & Robotic Surgery- BLK-Max Cancer Centre along with patients- Minha Banday, 23 years old, Nisha Khan, 24 years old and Ghulam Hassan Khan, 73 years old from Srinagar who was treated for cancer at BLK Max Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi and now leading a healthy life.
Addressing media, Dr. Surender Dabas, Senior Director & HOD- Surgical Oncology & Robotic Surgery, BLK-Max, New Delhi said “23-year-old Minha Banday, was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer last year in her hometown. For further management and treatment, she came to our hospital where she successfully underwent robotic surgery for the removal of the cancerous cells and now has recovered completely. She resumed her daily activities and is doing well in life.”
Dr. Ashwani Sharma informed, “Similar was the case of 24-year-old Nisha Khan from Srinagar, who is a doctor by profession. She was also diagnosed with cancer in the thyroid gland which spread to the neck region. She was fearful about the surgery and the post-operation disfigurement. However, post counselling her about the robotic procedure that makes only minimal incisions to completely remove cancer which totally eliminates the need for open procedures. She was happy to go ahead with the surgery and is now leading a normal life.”
Explaining another case, Dr. Sharma, said, “Patient Ghulam Hassan Khan, who was detected with food pipe (esophagus) cancer 5 years back underwent a robotic esophagectomy and thus an open incision in the chest and abdomen was avoided and post-operative recovery was very fast and uneventful and is now doing very well. Esophagus, stomach, and colorectal cancers are very common in the northern India region, especially Kashmir. Robotic surgery has proved to be a boon in the treatment of these cancers and has resulted in better outcomes and cure rates.”
Elaborating on the robotic advancements, Dr. Dabas, said, “Since early detection of such cancers can have favorable outcomes with respect to the advancements made in the field of oncology treatment, it is imperative to state that awareness plays a major role. Newly advanced robotic surgery has provided an innovative approach to the treatment of cancer. Providing a 3-dimensional view, the robot-assisted console helps the surgeon to operate in closed, narrow spaces where it may be difficult to perform laparoscopic surgery. It also provides ease in surgical suturing which helps in reconstruction. With the relaunch of this OPD, Srinagar and nearby region residents will be benefitted in terms of reduced travel for primary consultations and expert opinion.”
Doctors also briefed on the fact that treatment given to these young cancer patients is a testimonial that minimal access surgeries in the treatment of cancers have been paving the way as the latest breakthroughs in the field of oncology.