Linden man given new lease on life as GPHC team completes another major surgery

Dr. Hemraj Ramcharran (right, front row) with members of his team that performed the surgery

Laparoscopic surgeries at GPHC only started recently, and this was the first of its kind for stomach cancer, Dr. Ramcharran said.

The procedure is known as bandaid surgery, or keyhole surgery, and is a modern surgical technique in which operations are performed far from their location through small incisions elsewhere in the body.

In Murray’s case, three small incisions were made and after two and a half hours, the procedure was over.

This, according to Dr. Ramcharran, is a milestone achieved and shows that small developing countries like Guyana can deliver standard healthcare that can match developing countries.

“We are very happy with the surgeries done and the success rate because most surgeries done in the US, they are done laparoscopically and it has many advantages in terms of recovery,” Dr. Ramcharran explained.

“You return to work faster; you could basically be on your feet the very next day as opposed to the more invasive surgery where you are left in bed for at least two days. You can get back to your life faster; there is less chances of developing hernia and so much more,” he added.

Dr. Ramcharran was pleased to report that the surgery had no complications.

This was the not the first laparoscopic surgery done by his team. Thus far, he said over 50 surgeries have been done using his method.

And in years to come, Dr. Ramcharran believes that conducting surgeries laparoscopically should become the norm in Guyana.

With the right training, it can be done, he outlined.