Nonagenarian treated for stomach cancer with robotic-assisted surgery

KOLKATA: A 92-year-old man underwent successful treatment for stomach cancer in a Kolkata hospital. Doctors used robot-assisted surgery to remove a bleeding tumor from the nonagenarian’s stomach, who had multiple comorbidities including hypertension, COPD, and type 2 diabetes.

According to doctors at Fortis Hospital Anandapur, the patient’s symptoms began with severe digestive issues, including loss of appetite and constant vomiting, leading to significant weight loss over the course of a month. As his condition deteriorated, his family consulted Dr Narayan Banerjee, consultant, internal medicine. An endoscopy revealed an obstruction between the stomach and the duodenum, leading to a diagnosis of stomach cancer. Later, a PET CT scan also confirmed the cancer, which was restricted to the stomach.

Post-diagnosis, Dr Udipta Ray, director of GI, Robotics, and General Surgery, took over the case. His team opted for a robot-assisted surgical intervention instead of traditional open surgery due to the patient’s complex medical conditions.

Dr Ray said, “The surgery involved removing the part of the stomach and the duodenum affected by the cancerous tumor. A healthy margin around the tumor was cut to ensure all cancerous cells were removed. Post removal of the tumor, the remaining part of the stomach was joined to the jejunum (middle section of the small intestine), restoring the digestive tract's normal function. The treatment ensured minimal blood loss along with less post-operative pain. The patient’s diet also progressed from liquids to semi-solids and solids within three to four days, and he was discharged after seven days in excellent health.”

Doctors said traditional open surgery with full anesthesia is risky for patients with such comorbidities, including the potential for heart attack and stroke along with respiratory complications.

“It was a huge shock for the family when we found that my father had cancer. We consulted Dr. Ray, who explained the risks of open surgery and the advantages of robotic-assisted surgery to remove the cancer. My father was discharged within a week. I am deeply thankful to the doctors and nurses," said the patient’s son, Partha Bhattacharjee.

Ashish Mukherjee, facility director, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, said, “The precision of robotic-aided surgeries leads to less trauma to the surrounding tissues, resulting in quicker recovery. These factors are especially beneficial for elderly patients, who may have a more challenging time recovering from traditional open surgeries.”
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