Amid COVID 19, Robot assisted proceduresmaking surgeries safe at Hospitals

54-year-old male from Kolkata undergoes successful robot assisted surgery for Colorectal Cancer

July 2020, New Delhi: Ever since the advent of COVID 19, people have been apprehensive about getting any medical procedures done for fear of contracting the virus and developing further complications.

In a scenario like this robot assisted surgeries play a very important role as they are characterized by shorter stays at the hospitals, minimal blood loss, practicing social distancing (the surgeon sits on a console and guides the procedure via robotic instruments) ensuring minimum contact betweenthe patient and staff.

Also, these surgeries are characterized by minimum scope of infections hence short stay at the hospital. This is especially useful for hospitals where 30-40% beds have got used up to treat Covid19 patients.

Recently, a 54-year-old male from Kolkata underwent a successful robot assisted surgery for colorectal cancer at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals. He was diagnosed with cancer in the rectum (part of large intestine) early this year in February after persistent complaints of blood in his stool, rapid weight loss and change in bowel movements.

He had been undergoing primary treatment at Kolkata in the form of chemotherapy and radiation and was due for surgery in the month of May. With restrictions on elective procedures in Kolkata and apprehensions on getting surgery done amidst a pandemic the family was unsure of a safe procedure, they hence took advise from Dr Arun Prasad, senior consultant for surgical gastroenterology at Apollo New Delhi, via video consultation.

Dr Prasad advised immediate surgery, as any delay would lead to the spread of cancer in other parts of the abdomen, causing life threatening consequences. Hence, the family came to Delhi and was admitted at Indraprastha Apollo on 18^th June, and within 24 hours a successful robot aided surgery was performed for the removal of cancer.

Dr Arun Prasad, senior consultant, surgical gastroenterology &bariatric Surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, said, ““In today’s scenario robot assisted surgeries are the safest procedures. They not only promise positive outcomes but also minimal complications throughout the procedure.

Robot assisted surgeries have given surgeons immensecontrol over the surgery, we can guide the entire procedure while on a computer operated console, through master controls for hand movements and precision-guided robotic arms.”

“These days with Covid19, robotic surgery ensures minimal staff contact with each other and the patient in the operation theatre. This can be called robot induced social distancing. Also use of special smoke evacuators to remove plume from patients body makes it a safe surgery for all health care workers too.”

“In case of this patient, the surgery for removal of cancer from his rectal (large intestine) was done in two hours under general anesthesia. With robot assisted surgery we could ensureelimination of complications related to infection, blood loss and scarring, and as opposed to conventional surgical procedures, the patient was discharged within a week of the surgery, with no restrictions on movement or food intake”,  he further added.

On the day of his discharge the patient expressed his gratitude and said, that “I am thankful to the team at Indraprastha Apollo hospitals for giving me a new lease of life. I had never thought that a surgery for cancer could be done with so much ease. I don’t have a big scar neither do I feel weak or unwell, and within five days I am feeling better and going home on my feet.”

Consumption of alcohol & tobacco, diet high in red meat & processed food, aerated drinks are one of the main reasons causing problems like obesity and diabetes, these health conditions are key risk factors that can cause colorectal cancer along with other non-communicable diseases.