The Institute of Minimal Access, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (iMAS) at SGRH, the fi rst of its kind in the subcontinent, was founded in 1996 to exclusively focus on evaluation, development and expansion of procedures and techniques in minimal access or keyhole surgery. Minimal Access Surgery (MAS) has revolutionized surgical practice ever since its dramatic introduction more than two decades ago. India was no exception and it was not long before several committed, enthusiastic surgeons ensured that the technique spread to all corners of the country. Today, this institute is recognized to be a centre of excellence in endosurgery in the world.
Recognizing the immense growth in this specialized fi eld, SGRH has now raised this institute to the level of an institute as a centre of healthcare excellence. The institute will cover academic initiatives, technical progress and advanced research to extend the minimal access advantage to every needy patient who is desirous of its technical and physiological benefi ts.
Vision and Mission
The vision of the iMAS is to constantly improve and provide the best in minimal access surgical services with maximal health advantages to all segments of society. We aim to achieve this with our credo ‘Collective Wisdom for Achieving Excellence’.
The mission of the institute is to deliver the above through translating relevant emergent advanced technology for the benefi t of the common man, research and development, public awareness initiatives and advanced training of surgeons through fellowship programmes.
Spectrum of Surgery
More than 100 major laparoscopic procedures are performed every month with state-of-the-art instrumentation and equipment. An average monthly laparoscopic audit comprises 60% cholecystectomies, 20% endoscopic hernia repairs, including abdominal wall reconstructions and 20% other advanced laparoscopic procedures which include bariatric procedures, hiatus hernia repairs, fundoplication, cardiomyotomies, splenectomies, bowel surgery, etc.
Centre for Bariatric Surgery
Minimal Access Bariatric Surgery is one of the thrust areas of the iMAS is performed by minimal access techniques, for patients with morbid obesity. Surgery is the treatment option in these patients with an extreme degree of obesity. Bariatric surgery helps these patients lose weight and maintain excess weight loss, which ameliorates life-threatening associated morbid conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease and obstructive sleep apnoea. Morbid obesity is a modern day scourge severely straining our health system.
The institute is one of the leading bariatric centres in India, with serious focus on managing morbid obesity. The institute offers a holistic approach to obesity care with a special campaign of ‘Let’s Fight the Fat’. This initiative involves multidisciplinary integration of various specialties such as endocrinology, internal medicine, cardiology, pulmonology, nutritionist, sleep medicine, physiotherapy, anaesthesia, counsellors, etc.
The institute conducts regular ‘Obesity Support Group’ meetings, where people suffering from obesity are able to interact and gain health-empowering knowledge from experts and share experiences of those who have been successfully treated. In addition, the institute is a recognized member of the International Excellence Federation (IEF) for bariatric and metabolic surgery.
Centre for Hernia Surgery
The institute has recently also become one of the global leaders in endoscopic abdominal wall reconstruction by actual work and publication, presenting a rare opportunity for surgeons nationally and globally to observe and train in. It is also recognized by the Hernia Society of India (HIS) as a Centre of Excellence for training in Hernia Surgery.
Expansion
The super-specialty wing of SGRH was inaugurated by the Hon’ble President Shri A.P.J Abdul Kalam. It has 20 state-of-the-art operation theatres with advanced endoscopic surgery equipment available in 8 theatres. The iMAS theatre has a full high-defi nition endovsion systems, which is top of the line system available in the fi eld of endosurgery. This system is soon to be upgraded to 4K and 3D 4K capabilities. We utilize the most patient-friendly endosurgical energy systems required for advanced procedures, i.e. ultrasonic shears (harmonic scalpel) and ligasure are available in all the theatres.
The institute also houses the da Vinci robotic surgical system, with the institute being one of the leading centres in the country to initiate robotic bariatric surgery.
Training and Accreditation
Introduction and training of surgeons in the art and safe practice of laparoscopy remains one of the foremost priorities of the institute. Many surgeons from India and abroad have visited the institute for training. The institute is a recognized centre for post-doctoral fellowship by the National Board of Examinations, New Delhi. This is a two-year fellowship course with an all-India entrance test, periodic internal and external assessments along with a formal exit examination. The institute also offers clinical observerships in minimal access surgery.
Academic Achievements
The institute has organized many international, national and numerous regional conferences on minimal access surgery (laparoscopy) since its inception.
The institute is regularly represented at national and international forums. Consultants at the institute have published the fi rst Indian textbooks on Endoscopic Suturing (with CD-ROM) and the fi rst Indian textbook on Laparoscopic Hernia Repair (with CD-ROM). These monographs come from the enormous experience of the consultants gained over two decades of minimal access surgery and training surgeons across India and around the globe.
Address
SWB 4th Floor, Ext: 1617 Helpline no: 2092
