GEM hospital in the city bagged the Best Video Award for Robotic Surgery in the third Asia Pacific International Robotic Surgery Conference held at Taipei Taiwan recently.

Gastrointestinal surgeon Dr Parthasarathi received the award of a certificate and cash prize of $500 from Taiwan Robotic Association president Jin-Tung Liang.

Parthasarathi told mediapersons that robotic surgery was far better than laparoscopy and could be done without complications.

Robotic hands used for surgery were designed on the basis of seven different moments of human hands.

GEM Hospital has completed 1,000 minimal invasive esophagectomy (surgical removal of all or parts of esophagus) of which 110 were robotic esophagectomy. GEM Hospital Group Chairman Dr C Palanivelu said that according to ICMR report, esophagus cancer had increased in recent times as a result of change in lifestyle.

Earlier, open esophageal cancer operation was a complex process and has higher complications due to lengthy abdominal incision for many hours. But laparoscopic esophageal cancer operation was done through a few holes in the chest and abdomen. The patient would need 2-3 months rest to resume routine work.

Newer technology and technical improvement made cancer operations safe and curable, added Palanivelu.