MINIMAL ACCESS CANCER SURGERY (MACS) utilizes laparoscopic cameras and instruments to gain access to the operating site. Cancer and nodal clearance are much better because of better visual display. So, compared to conventional open surgery, the cure rates are either equivalent or better at times.

Other advantages include:

• Less blood loss
• No bad scar
• Minimal pain and discomfort
• No prolonged starvation
• Less wound complications
• Shorter hospital stay
• Quicker return to normal life
• Best possible cure rates

Esophageal cancers can also be dealt with without opening up the chest. So lung-related complications like pneumonia and atelectasis are significantly reduced.

MACS has gradually become the standard of care because of its advantages over conventional surgery. But its popularity is still limited to very few high-volume centers due to high cost and steep learning curve. Our team at AMRI Cancer Institute, Dhakuria has taken up this challenge of providing MACS advantage to all our cancer patients at a reasonable cost so that all strata of patients can avail of this benefit. Come be a part of this unique initiative.

Dr. S. K. BALA