The Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), a cornerstone of the government medical structure in southern India, draws a substantial number of patients from nearby states.
In response to the growing health issue, specialist teams at JIPMER Puducherry have developed an innovative robotic-assisted surgery approach to enhance the quality of pancreatic cancer surgeries. JIPMER communicated that its top-level healthcare services firmly establish it as a regional leader in cutting-edge cancer treatments.
Around 60% of patients benefitting from robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) at JIPMER are from Tamil Nadu, with another 30% originating from different southern states. As a central government institution capable of handling severe cases, JIPMER is frequently referred to by neighboring cities. The hospital has executed over 100 pancreatic cancer surgeries using this advanced method.
On November 21, during World Pancreatic Cancer Day, medical professionals highlighted the rapid increase in pancreatic cancer in southern India. Recent data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) indicates a 30% rise in cases over the last decade, with approximately 50,000 new diagnoses annually in India. This surge imposes a considerable strain on the healthcare system, underscoring the demand for proactive screening and effective interventions.
Pancreatic cancer, notorious for its high mortality, is often detected at later stages due to ambiguous initial symptoms like abdominal pain, jaundice, and unexplained weight changes. Addressing this health emergency, Dr. Kalayarasan, a distinguished robotic surgeon at JIPMER, has crafted a revolutionary technique in robotic surgery that enhances accuracy and reduces patient risk during treatment.
The newly adopted robotic procedure employs the advanced da Vinci system, allowing surgeons to conduct complex pancreaticoduodenectomies (PD) with utmost precision. The pioneering vascular control method, designed by the expert surgeon, minimizes blood loss and notably increases R0 resection success, ensuring full tumor extraction, he explained.
Dr. Kalayarasan highlighted the method’s advantages, explaining, “This procedure enables precise navigation through intricate anatomical formations. Patients endure less discomfort, enjoy reduced hospital stays, and experience faster recoveries, making the method indispensable for those battling pancreatic cancer. Additionally, da Vinci technology’s exactness significantly lowers complication risks, crucial for improving overall patient prognosis.”
A recent example demonstrates the technique’s life-saving capability. A 58-year-old patient, suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer along with ongoing pancreatitis, underwent robotic surgery and achieved complete tumor clearance. Remarkably, the patient was discharged in just five days, swiftly beginning adjuvant chemotherapy, showcasing the technology’s transformative potential.
“As we observe World Pancreatic Cancer Day, it’s essential to boost awareness about this aggressive illness and the innovative approaches to tackle it. The achievements using robotic surgery at JIPMER offer hope to patients and their families, emphasizing the importance of continued research, early detection, and enhanced treatments,” Dr. Kalayarasan concluded.