2-Year-Old Elderly Stomach Cancer Patient with multiple co-morbidities successfully treated via Robot-assisted surgery at Fortis Anandapur, Kolkata

2-Year-Old Elderly Stomach Cancer Patient with multiple co-morbidities successfully treated via Robot-assisted surgery at Fortis Anandapur, Kolkata 

 Kolkata, July 2024: Fortis Hospital, Anandapur successfully performed a robot-assisted surgery on a 92-year-old patient suffering from stomach cancer. Under the expert care of Dr. Udipta Ray, Director GI, Robotics, and General Surgery, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, the team removed the bleeding tumor from the stomach of the elderly patient, who also had a history of hypertension, COPD, and type 2 diabetes. The patient’s symptoms began with severe digestive issues, including loss of appetite and constant vomiting, leading to significant weight loss over the course of a month. 

As the patient’s condition deteriorated, He consulted Dr. Narayan Banerjee, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital Anandapur, who suggested an endoscopy which revealed an obstruction between the stomach and the duodenum (the first section of the small intestine), leading to a diagnosis of stomach cancer. Later, a PET CT scan was also performed, which confirmed that the cancer had spread to the stomach, with no involvement of other organs. 

Post the diagnosis, Dr. Ray and his team opted for a robot-assisted surgical intervention to remove the cancer instead of the traditional open surgery, as it is better suited for patients with complex medical conditions. This less invasive approach reduces the likelihood of severe complications, which was critical given the patient's advanced age and multiple co-morbidities. Traditional Open surgery with full anesthesia poses greater risks for patients with hypertension, COPD, and type 2 diabetes, including the potential for heart attack and stroke along with respiratory complications. 

Explaining about the procedure, Dr. Ray said, “The surgery involved removing the part of the stomach and the duodenum affected by the cancerous tumor. A healthy margin around the tumor was cut to ensure all cancerous cells were removed. Post the removal of the tumor the remaining part of the stomach was joined to the jejunum (middle section of the small intestine), restoring the digestive tract's normal function. The treatment ensured minimal blood loss along with less post-operative pain. The patient’s diet also progressed from liquids to semi-solids and solids within three to four days and was discharged after 7 days in excellent health.” 

While expressing his gratitude, Mr. Partha Bhattacharjee, the patient's son, said, “My father’s condition kept on deteriorating day after day. When we found out that he was suffering from cancer, it was a huge setback for the family since it was difficult to say whether he would be able to fight the battle against this deadly disease or not. We acted quickly and consulted Dr. Ray, who explained that open surgery under full anesthesia could be very risky given his age and existing health issues which could further lead to problems like heart attack, stroke, or pneumonia. So, he decided to perform a robotic-assisted surgery to remove the cancer, and my father was discharged within a week. I am deeply thankful to the doctors and nurses at Fortis Hospital Anandapur for their unparalleled care." 

Mr. Ashish Mukherjee, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, said, “The precision of the robotic-aided surgeries leads to less trauma to the surrounding tissues, leading to quicker recovery. These factors are especially beneficial for elderly patients, who may have a more challenging time recovering from traditional open surgeries.”