New Delhi   

Robotic surgery at AIIMS a success

NEW DELHI: The All-India Institute of Medical Sciences has successfully performed robotic thymectomy for myasthenia gravis on seven patients since Saturday.

“Myasthenia gravis is a disease characterised by progressive muscular weakness which can sometimes be life-threatening. Thymectomy is removal of the thymus gland early in the course of the disease which provides cure or significant improvement in symptoms for a majority of patients.

“The gland is situated behind the breast bone – just in front of the heart – and has traditionally required cutting open of the breast bone for its removal, a major incision to remove a small gland,” said Prof. Arvind Kumar of the Department of Surgery at the Institute, who successfully performed the surgeries.

According to AIIMS, Prof. Jens C. Rueckert, Professor and Head of Department of General, Thoracic and Endocrine Surgery at Charite Medical University in Germany, was present during the operations and provided expert advice and guidance.

“Now with the robotic assistance, operations can be safely and effectively performed by three one-cm incisions on the left side of the chest.

“This results in minimal postoperative pain, no requirement for ICU stay, a hospital stay only for 2-3 days and patients can return to work within a week or 10 days,” he added.

AIIMS Chief Public Relations Officer Y.K. Gupta said: “Robotic surgery with greatly enhanced three-dimensional vision and extremely versatile instruments with seven degrees of movement [which have a wrist like joint and can exactly replicate the function of a hand] allows complex chest surgery, even in the vicinity of vital structures, to be performed safely with small incisions.”

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Alleged militant held in Delhi
Zakir Husain College to set up souvenir shop
Robotic surgery at AIIMS a success
Film viewing cheaper in Delhi
Revamped
Function in honour of woman cosmonaut
SBI, Damodar Valley Corporation ink pact
Bishops’ delegation to visit Australia
Dial 1077 for help in disaster
Govt. schools performing better than public schools: Lovely
Advanced version of REVA launched
Provide treatment to cancer patient, CGHS told
Capital to get nine new city forests
“Ghazipur plant to open in July”
SASTRA questions BCI’s nod for Vellore law college
Delhi has one of the lowest unemployment rates, says report
Precious water going down the drain on Delhi Ridge
‘Sahara can erect a temporary fence’
CBI summons Nupur Talwar
RBI steps will check inflation without hurting growth: Centre
Second polygraph test on Nupur Talwar

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu