A team of doctors at district hospital Handwara Monday created history after performing the first hydatid liver laparoscopic surgery.
The team of doctors was headed by renowned surgeon Dr Ashfaq Wani and anesthesiologist Dr Reyaz Qadri. The doctors termed this surgery a “landmark”, as no such surgery had been performed in any district hospital across Jammu and Kashmir so far.
Dr Ashfaq Wani, who was overseeing this surgery, told Rising Kashmir that an 11-year-old boy recently visited him. After a careful examination, it was discovered that the boy had a hydatid liver (size 13×11×13.7 cm).
He said the same case was discussed with anesthesiologist Dr Reyaz Qadri, and after a long discussion, we decided the boy would be operated on here. Today, the boy was operated on, and he is doing well.
He stated that the operation was full of challenges because such surgeries are not performed at district hospitals; however, with the support of the entire hospital, this happened, and we are hopeful that any other age group having the same problems will be operated on here in the future.
Those who assisted doctors to hold this surgery successfully are OT staff, including In charge operation Theater GM Bhat Abdul Qayoom, Imtiyaz Ahmad, Sajad Ahmad, Rouf Ahmad, Mohammad Ashraf, and Oshar Ahmad.
“This type of laparoscopic hydatid cystectomy with omentopexy in pediatric surgery was the first of its kind in the peripheral hospitals of Jammu and Kashmir,” Dr Ashfaq explained.
Anaesthetist Dr Reyaz Qadri, speaking to Rising Kashmir, said that he had recently joined this hospital from SKIMS Soura and that conducting such surgeries there was not a big deal as there was a huge backup if, God forbid, anything happened to patients.
He said there are no such backups in far-flung area hospitals, which is why such surgeries are not performed here. The doctor also said that in the future, they are hopeful that whatever will be possible from their side, they will do their part.
The doctors also stated that they received a positive response from their medical superintendent and deputy medical superintendent; without their support, the surgery would not have been possible.
