Cancer in oesophagus can be treated by an open surgery using long incision from abdomen to chest. A few patients suffered a lot of pain some of them even developed lung infection. “ But now minimally invasive technique of treating in cancer oesophagus is being done through small incisions and has become the standard. Patients who have undergone this procedure admit that pain is bearable,” said Dr C Palanivelu, Chairman, Gem Hospital.

Advanced laparoscopic camera system 3D provides 29 times magnified and perfect vision and this enables removal of cancer cells. Newer energy source enables bloodless surgery. With previous procedures, the cure rate was just 30 per cent. However with this latest laparoscopic technique it is claimed that the success rate is 90 per cent.

So far over 1000 cancer esophagus have been successfully performed at GEM hospital, Coimbatore. This technique introduced by Dr C Palanivelu has won recognition from the medical fraternity across the globe. Dr Palanivelu’s laparoscopic esophagectomy in prone has won the award for best operation during the world congress held at Kagoshima Japan in 2010.

Ritu Pareek from Jodhpur in Rajasthan, who happened to be the 1000th patient who recently underwent this procedure at the GEM hospital in Coimbatore told the reprters “I am feeling fit and fine now. I can eat normal food and I am happy that the cancer has been completely removed.”