Kolkata: Hi-tech laparoscopic surgery unit opens at SSKM hospital

KOLKATA: A state-of-the-art laparoscopic surgery unit with the high-tech gadgets was thrown open at state-run Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (IPGMER) SSKM Hospital on Tuesday with two procedures — a hernia surgery and liver cyst removal — on two patients. The unit for now will be functional thrice a week and would be conducting about five surgeries per day.
Though the state’s premier hospital has been conducting laparoscopic surgeries for over two and half decades, those were basic surgeries. Now, with the installation of two advanced set laparoscopic instruments at the general surgery department, doctors will be able to conduct complex surgeries.
The pace towards setting up of the advanced laparoscopic surgery unit got slowed due to the pandemic. But the health department officials, including director health services, Ajay Chakraborty and IPGMER director Manimoy Banerjee, kept pursuing the project amidst the pandemic.
“This unit will also open up advanced training facilities for our young surgeons,” said Makhanlal Saha, head of general surgery department.
The hospital has set up a team led by Saha, Diptendra Sarkar and Abhimanyu Basu, both professors of surgery to run the newly set up unit.