Media Release
Mangaluru, Oct 22: A new day, a new machine, a benefit for not only to diagnose and treat but for the utmost care of every patient entering the doors of the Father Muller Medical College Hospital (FMMCH) was the prelude mentioned by the director FMCI Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho. The new equipment will be a boon to people of the region giving them advanced diagnostic facility thereby aiding in earlier detection and faster sample recovery. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) is a minimally invasive but highly effective procedure used to diagnose lung cancer, infections, and other diseases causing enlarged lymph nodes in the chest. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a minimally invasive procedure to assess diseases of the digestive (gastrointestinal) tract and other nearby organs and tissues.
The blessing and inaugural of the EBUS of the Departments of Interventional Pulmonology and Gastroenterology was done in the early hours of Saturday, October 22. A prayer service held to bless the new equipment placed in the Casualty Operation Theatre was witnessed by the members of the management, Doctors and Postgraduates.
Cancers are increasing at an alarming pace. Lung cancers along with oral cancers account for majority of cancers.
Though lung cancers were seen majorly among smokers, now we have lot of lung cancers among non-smokers. Most lung cancers are diagnosed at late stages and hence survival rate is very low. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) is an innovative technology of identifying early lung malignancies by sampling the lymph nodes and masses which are not accessible by bronchoscope. EBUS can also help in diagnosis of early stages of lymphoma, TB, sarcoidosis and other diseases which involve lymph nodes of the chest. Early diagnosis leads to early intervention and good prognosis. 5-year survival of lung cancer in late stages is 19 percent as compared to 56 percent in early stages said Dr Don Gregory Mascarenhas, Interventional Pulmonologist.
The other equipment’s in addition to the EBUS are, Cryo technology which is used to take larger biopsies, remove mucous plugs/foreign body, to stop bleeding in the airways and also to reduce the size of endobronchial tumours in lung cancer patients who are not fit enough to undergo surgery(de-bulking).
Rigid bronchoscope is used to secure airways in cases of haemoptysis. Its also used as an anchor during de-bulking of endobronchial cancers. It will also help in removal of foreign body like pins, peanut in respiratory tract.
Thoracoscopy is used to diagnose pleural diseases like fluid / cancers in pleural cavity. It can also be used to insufflate talc in pleural cavity to prevent re-accumulation of fluid. All these newer technologies will put interventional pulmonology on the map which will be a game changer in diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases, especially lung cancers.
Dr Rifat Aziz, medical gastroenterologist briefed on the new equipment’s use in the Gastro-enteric realm and thus it would make it easier and feasible for exploration through the advanced endoscopy in detecting disease.
Dr Ganesh MK, surgical gastroenterologist proposed the vote of thanks and briefed on the highlights of the new equipment’s. He also mentioned the increased cooperation between departments of Radiology, Microbiology and Pathology with the new technology in place. The equipment are sourced from FujiFilm (Japan), Erbe (Germany), Karl-Storz (Germany).
Members of the management, dean FMMC, medical superintendent and deputy medical superintendent, department heads and company representatives were part of the blessing and inaugural programme.