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New technique of endoscopy introduced

By The Assam Tribune

GUWAHATI, Nov 28 - A new endoscopic technique for direct visualisation inside the common bile duct (CBD) and liver has been introduced for the first time in the Northeast.

The �Spyglass� cholangioscopy technique, which goes inside the CBD and the small ducts of liver, will be of immense benefit for patients with stones in the smaller ducts inside the liver, CBD and pancreatic duct, Swagat Super Speciality Surgical Institute founder, Subhash Khanna told reporters today.

The new endoscopic modality will also benefit patients with very large and difficult stones in the ducts, besides help in early diagnosis of cancer in CBD with a definite site specific biopsy under direct visualisation, he informed.

Apart from stones, many patients with other disorders of liver and pancreas would be able to take benefit of this modality, said Khanna, who is also the convenor of the Continued Medical Education programme on the technique organised by the institute along with the Association of Surgeons of Assam.

�So far the standard facility available for such stones and similar problems was a technique called ERCP, wherein with the help of an endoscope a basket would be introduced into the ducts of the liver and pancreas and the stones taken out by pulling under X-ray control�, he said.

�But, with the help of the new spy camera, this will no longer be a blind technique. Now, a very thin cholangioscopic camera can be introduced into the CBD and pancreatic duct and stones, strictures (narrowing) can be visualised and managed with various techniques, including lasers to pulverise and break the stone,� he said.

�The introduction of the technique is a landmark event as now stones, strictures of liver ducts, fistulas (leaks), injuries of the ducts after surgical operation and diagnosis of early tumours would be approached differently,� Khanna claimed.

On the treatment cost by the new surgical procedure, Khanna, who is a former surgery professor of the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, said, �The average cost will be Rs 25,000 to 50,000, including medicines, hospital stay and machine cost.� � PTI

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