A Coimbatore-based surgeon has won the best paper award at the world congress of International Hepato Pancreato Biliary Association (IHPBA) held recently at São Paolo, Brazil.

Dr Senthilnathan, a HPB surgeon in GEM Hospital here presented his study about open verses laparoscopic surgery in pancreatic head cancer, which won the best paper award, carrying a certificate and 1,000 US dollars.

Nearly 2,800 surgeons from all over world participated, with 85 surgeons from India and over 2,000 papers, were presented at the Congress held from April 20 to 23.

Most formidable cancer difficult to treat so far is pancreatic cancer and Laparoscopic approach with newer technology not only enable to remove entire cancer and also curable in early stage, Senthilnathan said.

Avoiding incision, resection without blood loss and complete excision due to magnified view has made laparoscopic surgery better than open surgery, he said.

The study was a comparison between open and laparoscopic surgery and the Congress admitted that laparoscopy was the better way to treat cancer pancreas, which was considered impossible in the past.

Senthilnathan was nominated as one of the expert committee members of laparoscopic HPB surgery in Asia during Laparoscopic Asian HPB surgery conference held at Shanghai last year.