14,205 surgical operations were performed in 2009

By Shobha Shukla
January 16, 2010
The author is the Editor of Citizen News Service (CNS), has worked earlier with State Planning Institute, UP, and teaches Physics at India's prestigious Loreto Convent. Email: shobha@citizen-news.org, website: www.citizen-news.org

The Department of Surgery (General) of Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University (CSMMU, upgraded King George's Medical College - KGMC) has been functioning for almost a century now (98 years to be precise). Just for the sake of records, the post-graduate course in surgery was started in the year 1928, and the first Masters of Surgery (MS) in General Surgery was awarded to Dr MAH Siddiqui in the year 1930.

But the concept of a composite department with its own building, as envisioned by Late Prof SC Misra, saw the light of the day in the form of the New Surgical Block (NSB), which was inaugurated, by the then chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, on 16 January 1955. This day is celebrated by the department as its Foundation Day.

In 2010, the department is proudly celebrating its 55th Foundation Day, standing tall on its past glory and present achievements, with a firm determination to keep on surging ahead.

Today it pays its reverent homage to the stalwarts who helped give it the present shape and stature and won laurels for this institution.

It has come a long way from Col W Selby, who was the first Head of the Department, to the present incumbent, Professor (Dr) Rama Kant. During the year 2009, a total number of 14,205 operations were performed. Thus, on an average, 35 surgical emergency admissions are being catered to, everyday.

New and exclusive facilities initiated during the past year, under the able guidance of Prof Rama Kant, include anal sphincterometry, recto videoscopy and emed-paedography.

The newest techniques for treatment of piles were introduced in a big way in the department in its Ano Rectal Wing. 256 cases of haemorrhoids in grade 1 and 2 were treated through IRC, and 78 patients of piles were cured without any surgery through.

118 patients with grade 3 and 4 piles benefitted through Doppler Guided Haemorrhoidal arterial ligation (DGHAL) and recto-anal repair (RAR) techniques.

Apart from this, more than 103 patients were treated with the latest techniques of surgery in diabetic foot. Thoracoscopy was performed on 78 patients and thoracoscopic surgery surgery on 45 patients.

The deep involvement of the present Head of The Department with anti tobacco programmes, resulted in the regular facility of tobacco cessation being provided by this department – a unique facility available only here in the entire state of Uttar Pradesh. The Central Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has recently bestowed upon this centre the distinction of becoming the Resource Centre For Tobacco Control (RCTC).

Besides conducting regular under graduate and post graduate teaching, the department remains in the forefront of providing service to those who need it. The addition of a multi disciplinary casualty department has helped in improving its credentials. But pre hospital care needs to improve and the elective surgery waiting list needs to be shortened, perhaps by increasing the facilities and staff.

The residents of the departments presented over 20 proffered papers in various conferences, and attended several surgical technique skill courses and surgical updates. The Best Paper and Best Thesis award was also won by one of its members.

Its fraternity presents an enviable picture of social bonding and cooperation. "The residents and faculty, not only work together, they also sing and play together – whether it be some social stage event or a cricket match. This bonhomie only goes to increase the dedication and determination of all its members" says Prof Rama Kant.

Prof Rama Kant strongly believes that "Winners recognize their weakness but focus on their strengths; while losers recognize their strength but focus on their weakness."

May the department rise from strength to strength by learning from its weakness in the interest of the patients it serves.

Posted on: January 16, 2010 11:15 AM IST