Srinagar, Dec 13: For the first time, surgeons from different parts of the country are undergoing specialized training in laparoscopic hernia procedures in a 2-day event organized by GMC Srinagar in collaboration with the Dept. of Minimal Access and General Surgery at the medical college.
Officials said that this is for the first time that surgeons from high-ranking institutions like Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi and from Odisha are getting training in different aspects of the management of hernias in GMC Srinagar.
Head Department of Surgery, GMC Srinagar Prof. (Dr) Iqbal Saleem Mir, said hernias result due to a weakness in the abdominal wall resulting from structural defects which allow abdominal tissues or intestines to protrude.
“If untreated, hernias can lead to serious health complications, including infection and/or loss of blood to the intestine called gangrene,” he said.
Dr Iqbal said laparoscopic hernia repair technique is a minimally invasive surgical procedure utilizing three to four small incisions and a laparoscope (a thin tube with a camera on the end) to guide the surgeon. In most of the adult cases, mesh is used to support protruding tissues. The procedure typically takes very less time to complete.
Dr Iqbal said it is a significant achievement to host doctors from across the country for training in advanced surgical techniques adding it underlines J&K’s increasing influence in the field of surgery.
“On the first day on Wednesday, we demonstrated eight cases of advanced laparoscopic hernia surgeries at SMHS and four more are planned for Thursday as part of training,” he said.
Dr Iqbal said many troubleshooting points in hernia are essential for the understanding of doctors and these points were thoroughly explained.
“They learned the basics of hernia. Hernia in males, females, children and adults and post-surgery aspects and outlines in the theater,” he said.
Senior surgeons, doctors of GMC Srinagar, DNB students of SKIMS Soura have also participated in the training. Dr Iqbal said this is a revolution that has come to the fore regarding the medical field in Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, doctors from J&K would go outside for training but now doctors from outside are coming here for the same which is an achievement for the region’s medical field.
Prof. (Dr.) Naseer Awaan said the move aims to elevate the proficiency of the medical community in laparoscopic techniques, fostering an exchange of medical expertise and knowledge.
Recently, the work of laparoscopy and thoracoscopy being done at GMC Srinagar was recognized by SAGES, the largest association of laparoscopy in America.
