India’s First Lady Surgeon Trained in Robotic Breast Surgery Performs Karnataka’s 1st Robotic Nipple Sparing Mastectomy

India’s First Lady Surgeon Trained in Robotic Breast Surgery Performs Karnataka’s 1st Robotic Nipple Sparing Mastectomy

May 08, 2024: Cancer remains the illness most feared across the globe. But to combat these ongoing challenges, cancer diagnostics techniques and technology advancements are helping early detection rates, improving life expectancy, and bringing us closer to cancer care.

In this ongoing fight against cancer, treatments are being revamped by adopting modern technologies that have moved cancer care forward by leaps and bounds. To win over cancer, Apollo Cancer Centre (ACC), Bengaluru, successfully conducted Karnataka’s first Robotic Nipple Sparing Mastectomy (RNSM)–a cutting-edge surgical technique—to treat breast cancer. In India, breast cancer rates are notably high, especially among young women, constituting 48% of cases.

Led by Dr Jayanti Thumsi, Lead Consultant -Breast Oncology at ACC, Bengaluru— the country’s first lady surgeon trained in Robotic Breast Surgery—the RNSM procedure was conducted on 28-year-old Bangalore-based Ms Lalitha Sridhar (name changed on request) and  52-year-old Aarthi Sekhara (name changed on request).

The technique combines robotic technology with advanced breast cancer treatment. Through a small almost invisible incision, robotic surgery enables precise mastectomy while sparing and safeguarding nipple and surrounding skin.

Additionally, it facilitates breast reconstruction during the same procedure, offering patients several advantages. These benefits include reduced scarring, quicker recovery times, and improved cosmetic outcomes thus providing better patient satisfaction compared to the traditional mastectomy techniques.

Ms Sridhar’s, reports suggested multi-centric disease and DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma in situ) which if untreated had a high chance of becoming malignant. A mastectomy was the only option and she was not ready to lose her breast. The doctors performed RNSM with implant reconstruction through a small incision where a 4 cm lateral cut was made under her arm, the muscle was dissected, and the cancerous breast was removed post which, the implant and reconstruction surgery was conducted.

Before visiting ACC, many doctors brushed aside stating it’s “normal”.

Meanwhile, Ms Sekhara was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago and had multiple cancerous lumps in all the quadrants of her right breast. She was diagnosed with aggressive type of breast cancer called the Triple Negative Breast Cancer. She underwent immunotherapy and eight cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, after which, the entire lump and axilliary nodes were removed. An RNSM with implant reconstruction was conducted and today, she is recovering, pain-free, and is healthier than she was six months ago.

Dr. Jayanti Thumsi, Lead Surgeon–Breast Oncology at ACC, Bengaluru, said “Despite the high prevalence, breast cancer survival rates have significantly improved due to early detection and advanced therapies. With this innovation, our focus is not just on clearing cancer but ensuring a good quality of life for the patients. Unlike the traditional mastectomy that leads to compromising the aesthetics of femininity, the innovative surgery such as RNSM provides a significant impact on the physical and emotional aspects of the patient.”

Dr. Vishwanath S, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, ACC, Bengaluru, said, “Robotic nipple sparing mastectomy is one of the novel and promising surgical techniques which is considered to be safe, reducing the chances of skin and nipple complications (necrosis) with early wound healing facilitating early delivery of chemotherapy, with better post-surgical quality of life and physical /sexual well being.”

• year-old Ms Lalitha Sridhar (name changed on request) said, “I am happy to have made the right decision and opted for RNSM. This technique spared me from taking chemotherapy or radiation. If I had left it for a longer time then I would have had 88% chances of pre-cancerous breast lump to have turned into a full-fledged cancer.” Ms Sridhar was discharged on the third day post-surgery.

Mr. Dinesh Madhavan, President- Group Oncology & International, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd, said, “Robotics has revolutionized cancer care, implementation of advanced materials and designs along with the integration of imaging and visualization technologies have enhanced surgical accuracy and faster recovery. The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning aids in surgical decision-making by improving the recognition of minute and complex anatomical structures. Advancements through Robotic procedures like Robotic Nipple Sparing Mastectomy (RNSM) have led to faster recovery and fewer complications in patients. The growth curve of robotic surgery points to innovation and the RNSM by Apollo stand as a testament to the persistent pursuit of progress in healthcare”

Mr. Tapan Desai, Area Sales Director, Intuitive, said, “Intuitive is excited to celebrate yet another milestone with Apollo Hospitals as they complete a robotic mastectomy procedure. This accomplishment underscores our shared commitment to advancing surgical innovation and enhancing patient care. We commend the skilled surgical team at Apollo Hospitals for their dedication to leveraging cutting-edge technology for the benefit of their patients.”

#WinningOverCancer

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