Robot-assisted liver surgery performed

Chennai : In a first in South Tamilnadu, Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre (MMHRC) performed a robot-assisted liver surgery on a 65 year old man and successfully removed a tumor. The patient had a quick recovery and was discharged in just 5 days after the surgery. A press release said that the surgical gastroenterology department of Meenakshi Mission Hospital examined the patient and found him to be fit for a liver resection, the surgical procedure to remove the cancer-affected part of the liver.

The team was led by Srinivasan Ramachandran, Sr. Consultant Hepato-biliary surgery along with Dr. Mohan, Sr. Consultant Surgical gastroenterology and Dr. N. Maharajan, Sr. Consultant Anesthesiology, performed a less invasive robot-assisted surgery,” the release added.

Srinivasan Ramachandran said, “Liver cancer occurs commonly in people with a late stage of liver scarring. Surgery is often the only solution for liver cancers. Other treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can only slow down the cancer growth and are given to patients who are unfit for surgery. The traditional open surgical procedures mean delayed recovery, prolonged hospital stay and increased costs. Hence, we chose the minimally invasive, robotic surgery in which we have the required special expertise and advanced technology (the da Vinci surgical system). The robot allows us to perform delicate steps through keyhole surgery, and we can remove the specimen with a small cut in the lower abdomen. The robot-assisted surgical system also provides a magnified, 3D view of the surgical site and helps the surgeon operate with precision, flexibility and control. The patient experienced less pain and had no postoperative problems. He was able to return to lead a normal life within  days. ”

Dr. Ramesh Ardhanari, Medical Director, Sr. Consultant & Head – Surgical Gastroenterology, MMHRC said, “Excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, increasing incidence of fatty liver diseases, diabetes, besides chronic infection with the hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus can lead to irreversible liver damage and increase the risk of liver cancer. Though there may not be signs and symptoms in the early stages of liver cancer, patients may start losing weight and appetite, as the disease progresses. They could also develop pain in the upper abdomen, nausea and vomiting, abdominal swelling, yellow discoloration of skin and eyes (jaundice). They experience general weakness and fatigue, and the color of stools could become white and chalky.”