Srinagar, May 23: As a first by the department of surgical gastroenterology, Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Friday performed a complex surgical procedure for advanced Oesophageal cancer, reaffirming its dedication to delivering high-quality, specialized surgical treatment for cancer patients. The patient, a 67-year-old man, presented with progressive difficulty in swallowing. After thorough clinical evaluation and diagnostic investigations, he was found to have cancer of upper food pipe (Oesophagus). Due to the cancer being in chest near the wind pipe (trachea) the surgical team planned for a McKeown Esophagectomy, a technically demanding but known procedure used to manage such cases.
The surgery involved three incisions—abdominal, chest and neck—to safely remove the whole food pipe. A gastric tube was then meticulously fashioned from the patient’s stomach, brought up to the neck through the chest and joined to (anastomosed to) the remaining food pipe.
The procedure was performed by Dr Mohd Riyaz Lattoo,trained form Tata Memorial Hospital ,Mumbai along with his team and assistance from Dr Younis Ahmad,Dr Ajay Patel,Dr Akashdeep Singh Sohi,under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Sadaf Ali, Head of the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, and was completed successfully. The patient is recovering well under post-operative care. The anesthetic management was efficiently handled by Dr. Raja Suhail Shounthoo and his team, who ensured the patient’s intraoperative stability during this high-risk procedure. Their work was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Showkat A. Gurcoo, Head of the Department of Anesthesia at SKIMS. “This surgery represents a significant step forward in our ability to manage complex gastrointestinal malignancies,” said Prof. Dr. Sadaf Ali. “It reflects the department’s commitment to offering state-of-the-art surgical treatment for both benign and malignant conditions affecting the entire alimentary tract and associated organs.”
This milestone was achieved under the patronage of Prof. M. Ashraf Ganie, Director SKIMS, whose vision and support continue to drive innovation and excellence at the institute. The success of this surgery demonstrates SKIMS’ growing capability to handle high-end oncological surgeries locally, reducing the need for patients to seek treatment outside the region. SKIMS continues its mission to elevate the standard of care for gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary diseases, positioning itself as a leading centre for advanced surgical interventions in North India.
