Guwahati: First International Advanced ERCP Course Held In Swagat Hospital

Swagat Superspeciality Surgical Hospital, Maligaon in Guwahati under the mentorship of Prof Subhash Khanna, endoscopic expert for SAGES (Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons), successfully conducted the first International ERCP hands-on training course on October 23 and 24, 2021.

ERCP, which abbreviates for endoscopic retrogate cholangiopancreatography is an advanced endoscopic technique that obviates the need for extensive surgery for diseases of the bile duct and pancreas, mostly for stones and cancer.

It is worth mentioning that Swagat Hospital was among the first to successfully carry out such an advanced endoscopic procedure in this region of the country, and also that this is the very first time an international event with hands-on experience has been carried out in the region, a release stated.

The delegates who flocked from various parts of the country like Maharashtra, Telangana, Haryana, etc, and abroad (Maldives) practiced on animate models, were guided on 12 patients, and were taught the tips and tricks of the procedure. The course was ably carried by the course coordinator for Swagat Superspeciality Hospital with Dr. S. Pattnaik, Dr. S Eswaramoorthy, and Dr. Amit Maydeo who are considered stalwarts in the field of advanced endoscopic procedures.

The recently conceived advanced technique of spyglass, which makes way for the removal of difficult stones and performance of biopsy was also demonstrated. This course was the brainchild of the Chairman of Swagat Superspeciality Hospital who believes that advanced endoscopic procedures should be an integral part of the surgical curriculum. Such events should encourage more surgeons to adopt minimally invasive procedures which boast of the least pain and suffering with maximal benefit for the patients.

The valedictory function was attended by the Chief Guest of the occasion Prof Amar Jyoti Choudhury, Vice-Chancellor of Down Town University who spoke about his early experience of development of endoscope at the Oxford University and he also distributed the certificate to the trainee surgeons, the release added.