Though surgeries involving robotics are almost one-and-a-half decade old technology, the doctors at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science (SKIMS) had maiden experience of the state-of-the-art machinery recently.
Duringthe demonstration, the “master slave” was unveiled for hands on training of agroup of surgeons. The robotic-assisted surgery, according to doctors, is animportant leap towards patient care.
“Thereis precision, least blood loss and tissue deterioration,” said Dr Saleem Wani,head, department of Urology & Kidney transplant unit at the SKIMS.
Whilethe technology has quickened the patient recovery, at the same time it isdoctor-friendly too. “There is less fatigue and a surgeon can handle more caseswith precisions,” explained Dr Wani.
According to Dr Wani aminor error during a surgery for prostate cancer (radical prostatectomy) candamage a nerve or a tissue resulting into erectile dysfunction and involuntaryloss of urine in a male patient.
“All this has no scope inrobotic surgery. The surgery can be performed with ease due to 360 degreemaneuverability and 3D vision. This is really helpful for surgeons involved incarrying out surgeries of difficult organs like pelvis and thorax,” said DrWani.
Besides,with robotic the suturing of an organ is done with precision, fastening recoveryof a patient.
TheRobotics which dominate human surgeries involving urology, cardiovascularsurgeries, colorectal surgeries, pediatric surgeries, neuro surgeries, head andneck surgeries and gynecological procedures, open heart surgeries and coronaryartery bypass grafting and kidney transplant have however remained evasive fromJ&K for long.
DrWani cautioned that the skills of experienced surgeons will become “obsoleteand insignificant” if Robotics was not introduced at SKIMS.
“We need it at an earliestas we are already lagging behind in this field for long,” he said.
TheSKIMS is a tertiary care institute and a deemed university offering MBBS, MS,MCH and DM courses. “In absence of this technology I apprehend thatpost-doctoral candidates may opt out from the institute as they will be lackingnecessary skills,” said Dr Wani.
He feared that in absenceof the technology patients will opt for outside institute thus defeating thevery purpose of establishment of SKIMS 37 years ago.
Interestingly, the US-basedKashmiri surgeon, Dr Khursheed Guru is renowned worldwide for robotic-assistedsurgeries. However his Alma matter is yet to procure the technology.
An official said the robotwas flown from an outside hospital to Srinagar for demonstration at differenthospitals.