India’s First Robotic Cytoreductive Surgery with HIPEC Successfully Performed at Chennai Hospital

15 May,2024

• Surgeons at Apollo Cancer Center, Chennai, performed the first-ever robotic cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in India.
• A 51-year-old female patient had tumors in both the ovaries. She underwent various surgeries, such as the removal of the appendix, uterus, ovaries, and part of the omentum. A few histopathological examinations were done to check the progress of the treatment.
• Test results showed a high-grade mucinous tumor of the appendix with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). Despite various surgical interventions, the patient has residual mucinous implants (gelatinous deposits post appendicular tumor surgery) in the pelvis and around the colon.
• Dr. Ajit Pai, a renowned Surgical Oncologist and Robotic Surgeon, decided to opt for an innovative technique that is the first of its kind in India. Dr. Pai and his team performed minimally invasive robotic cytoreductive surgery (to reduce the tumor size in the abdominal cavity) with right hemicolectomy (removing the part of the colon that bears the appendix). Other procedures performed along the CRS were complete mesocolic excision, peritonectomy, and total omentectomy.
• The robotic cytoreductive surgery was followed by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in which heated cancer-killing cells are circulated throughout the abdominal cavity to eliminate any remaining cancer cells after the surgery.
• Traditionally, oncologists did CRS/HIPEC as an open and extensive operation, with a large incision (10-12 inches) and a long recovery time. The robotic CRS approach is minimally invasive, using tiny incisions for the robotic instruments and a single incision for tumor removal and HIPEC delivery. Benefits of robotic CRS include –
  • Minimally invasive surgery 
  • Less pain, discomfort, and blood loss 
  • Smaller incisions and less scarring 
  • Faster recovery and shorter hospital stay 
  • Improved quality of life
• Dr. Ajit made only a single sternocleidomastoid incision to excise the tumor using robotic arms and deliver the HIPEC. The patient recovered quickly and is cancer-free at a one-year follow-up.