Kerala: Lakeshore hospital performs first MIS

Kochi, May 26:Lakeshore Hospital and Research Centre has performed Kerala's first Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) in total knee replacement with advanced computer navigation system here.

The operation, also called Computer Assisted Surgery (CAS), undertaken with the new technology helps the surgeon to achieve higher degree of precision by aligning the artificial joint in the bone and increases the long-term effectiveness of the replacements.

The technology also helps the surgeon to make smaller incisions and cause less damage and trauma to leg muscles and tissues resulting in the faster recuperation.

Addressing a press conference here, Director and Head of Division of Arthro and Sports Medicine Dr Jacob Varghese said the technique helps the surgeon to apply their skills to the utmost advantage for the patients undergoing replacement surgeries.

The operation was performed yesterday on Mary George (66) by Dr Varghese and Dr David Pollock, a designer orthopaedic surgeon of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Carolina, US.

Dr Pollock said the technology helps to make smaller incision instead of the larger openings and offers the potential of faster recovery, less bleeding and less pain for the patients.

He said through a combination technology-backed operation, physiotherapy and patient's resolve, the patient would be able to resume normal life in 15 days.

Dr Varghese said the equipment costs Rs 40 lakh and the advanced Rotating Platform High Flexion Knee (RP-F) implant was imported from the US.

''RP-F has been developed to accomodate increased bend and rotation in deep knee flexion and ensures implant stability and longevity,'' he added.

Dr Varghese said the implant enables 155 degrees of flexion and 20 degrees of internal or external rotation thereby giving more flexibility and increased mobility to patients.

The hospital also conducted a one-day symposium on MIS in which 41 orthopaedic surgeons from the state participated.

UNI