US journal reports treatment developed by Coimbatore hospital

Coimbatore, Sep 4 (UNI) A new technique to remove cancer of the food pipe through laparoscopy developed by the city based GEM Hospital, has been published in a prestigious Americal medical journal.

The recent issue of the ''Journal of Americal College of Surgeons'' (JACS) has published the article ''minimally invasive oesophagectomy, thorasoscopic mubilization of the oesophagus and mediastinal lymphadectomy in prone position.'' Experimented on 130 patients, this research publication is the first article in the world to describe the new technique, claimed a hospital press release.

Cancer of the oesophagus affects the food pipe and the patient has difficulty in swallowing, accompanied by weight loss and decreased appetite. Although surgical removal of esophageal tumor is the best way of cure, severe postoperative pain and high incidence of complications following thoracotomy has made the oesophageal surgery less popular.

With the key hole approach, the cancer portion can be removed entirely by making small holes in the chest and abdomen. In the first step, three holes are made on the side of chest, by which the entire oesophagus, including the cancer bearing segement and the adjoining spread can be removed.

The stomach is then formed into a tube and used to replace the food pipe, the release added.

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