Srinagar December 27: The Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) has achieved a major surgical milestone by successfully performing a first-of-its-kind minimally invasive, scar-free thyroid surgery in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. This landmark achievement marks a significant advancement in the region’s surgical capabilities and reinforces SKIMS’ position as a leader in cutting-edge patient care.
The pioneering procedure was performed by the Department of General and Minimal Invasive Surgery under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Ajaz Ahmad Malik, Head of the Department and the Endocrine & Breast Surgery Division. The surgery involved a technically complex remote-access minimally invasive technique for thyroid gland removal, thereby avoiding a visible scar on the neck. This approach represents a major leap forward in minimally invasive and laparoscopic surgery and has been widely appreciated at both state and national surgical forums for its precision, reduced postoperative trauma, and improved patient recovery outcomes.
The Department has successfully completed over 25 endoscopic thyroidectomies using this modified remote-access technique, establishing a significant enhancement in its minimally invasive surgical capabilities. Unlike conventional endoscopic thyroidectomy approaches that rely on specialized and often expensive equipment, this innovative method uses standard laparoscopic instruments, making the procedure more cost-effective, accessible, and feasible for a wider range of healthcare settings. A surgery that otherwise costs several lakhs of rupees outside the region is now available at SKIMS, owing to the innovative modification and exceptional laparoscopic expertise of the SKIMS surgical team.
Congratulating the surgical team on this landmark achievement, Director SKIMS & EOSG, Prof. M. Ashraf Ganie, said,
“Such path-breaking advancements in patient care reflect SKIMS’ unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence. Introducing scar-free, minimally invasive thyroid surgery in the region not only elevates our clinical capabilities but also brings world-class surgical care closer to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, in line with our defined objective of providing advanced, equitable, and patient-centric healthcare.”
The procedure was led by Prof. Dr. Ajaz Ahmad Malik along with a dedicated team including Prof. Munir Wani, Dr. Gowhar Aziz, Dr. Bilal A. Wagay, and Dr. Azher Mushtaq (MCh Endocrine Surgery), supported by Dr. Zubair, Dr. Rahil, and other team members. Crucial anesthetic support was provided by Prof. Dr. Shoukat Ahmad Gurcoo, Lead Anesthesiologist, along with consultant anesthetists Dr. Altaf, Dr. Roohie, Dr. Majid, Dr. Suhail, and others.
Prof. Ajaz Ahmad Malik emphasized the importance of developing surgical techniques that are both advanced and affordable, ensuring access to high-quality care across all sections of society. He highlighted key patient benefits including absence of neck scar, reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, and minimal risk of complications.
It is pertinent to mention that the Division of Endocrine and Breast Surgery at SKIMS, headed by Prof. Dr. Ajaz Ahmad Malik, is presently the fifth centre in India to offer the MCh programme in Endocrine Surgery, further strengthening SKIMS’ role as a premier institution in surgical education and innovation.
