KEM sees its 1st 3D laparoscopy Docs use spl glasses, monitor to surgically cure seven-year-old girl of appendicitis

KEM sees its 1st 3D laparoscopy

Docs use spl glasses, monitor to surgically cure seven-year-old girl of appendicitis

Seven-year-old Nikita, who was suffering from appendicitis, was treated by doctors at the KEM Hospital on August 2 with what was the first 3D laparoscopic surgery performed at a government hospital. A laparoscopic surgery is normally involves inserting a miniature telescope fitted with a camera into the patient’s body through a small incision made on their skin. The doctors then perform the operation looking at the images transmitted onto a monitor. “These images are usually 2D and do not provide an accurate depth of field, explained Dr Bijal Sanghvi, senior paediatric surgeon at KEM Hospital and one of the surgeons involved in the operation. “The 3D technology makes this much clearer and presents an accurate representation of how things actually look like inside the body. The flat 2D images made it difficult for inexperienced surgeons.” The new technology involves a 3D camera as well as a 3D monitor; the doctors performed the operation wearing 3D glasses. However, it must be noted that KEM hospital has not acquired the technology; the devices were on loan from the manufacturer. “Although the technology is a welcome improvement, it is also very expensive, Dr Sanghvi said. Performed last Thursday, the entire procedure was completed in about 30 minutes. Three small incisions of about 5mm each were made on the girl’s body, which will not be noticeable in a couple of weeks, Dr Sanghvi said. Other surgeons involved were KEM hospital dean Dr Sanjay Oak, HoD of paediatric surgery Dr Sandesh Parelkar and three others.