Introduction

Academic Programme & Schedule

The Institute of Minimal Access, Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (iMAS) at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, the first 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 key hole surgery. Minimal Access Surgery (MAS) introduced a sweeping revolution in 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 on the international map and recognized to be a centre of excellence in endosurgery in the world.

Recognising the immense growth in this specialised field, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital has now raised this Institute to the level of an Institute as a center 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 benefits. 

Vision

The vision of the Institute of Minimal Access, Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery 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. 

Mission

The mission of the Institute is to deliver the above through: 

• Translating relevant emergent advanced technology for the benefit of the common man.
• Research and Development
• Public Awareness Initiatives
• Advanced Training of Surgeons through fellowship programmes.

Spectrum of Surgery

More than 200 major laparoscopic procedures are performed every month with state of art instrumentation & equipment. An average monthly audit comprises 60% laparoscopic cholecystectomies, 20% endoscopic hernia repairs and 20% other advanced laparoscopic procedures which include fundoplication, cardiomyotomies, splenectomies, nephrectomies, adrenalectomies, bowel surgery, thyroid / parathyroid surgery, vascular surgery, pyelolithotomy, ureterolithotomy, thoracoscopic procedure, Bariatric surgery (morbid obesity surgery), etc.

Centre for Bariatric Surgery

One of the thrust areas of the Institute is Bariatric Surgery 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 like 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 multi disciplinary 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. 

Expansion

The super specialty wing of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital 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 Definition Endovsion System, which is the top of the line system available in the field of endosurgery. We utilize the most patient friendly energy systems required for advanced endosurgical procedures i.e. Ultrasonic Shears (harmonic scalpel) and Ligasure are available in all the theatres.

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. The training courses conducted in the Institute are endorsed by Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), European Association of Endoscopic Surgery (EAES), Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgeons of Asia (ELSA), and Indian Association of Gastrointestinal Endo-surgeons (IAGES). 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 and a formal exit examination. Apart from this, the Institute also offers short duration fellowship/ observership in Minimal Access Surgery to deserving and State Sponsored candidates.

Academic Achievements

The Institute has organised 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 first Indian textbooks on Endoscopic Suturing (with CD-ROM) and the first 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. In recognition of his valuable academic and professional contributions in the field of Minimal Access Surgery, the Royal College of Surgeons of England awarded the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (FRCS Eng.) to the chairman of the Institute.

Audit

A rigorous and meticulous clinical audit is an essential part of the academic schedule. The Instituteal philosophy is that audit revalidates some current surgical practice but also ensures modifications as may be applicable to obtain optimal clinical results

Spectrum of surgery

The Institute has a large clinical work load and high volume (about 200-215 laparoscopic procedures performed every month) including the basic and advanced laparoscopic procedures as mentioned below out of which 60% are biliary surgery and 40% are other advanced laparoscopic procedures:

• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (for gall bladder stones)
• Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia repair
• Laparoscopic Incisional / ventral abdominal wall hernia repair
• Laparoscopic Appendicectomy
• Endosurgery for neck (thyroid & parathyroid)
• Axilloscopy for Carcinoma breast
• Endoscopic surgery for lower end oesophagus includes Fundoplication, (for hiatus hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease) Cardiomyotomy, Vagotomy Gastrojejunostomy
• Laparoscopic advanced biliary surgery (Hepaticojejunostomy, Choledochal cyst, CBD exploration)
• Laparoscopic management of benign biliary and pancreatic cysts
• Laparoscopic / Endoscopic surgery on solid organs like Pancreas / Spleen / Liver / Adrenal / Kidney
• Surgery on small and large intestines.
• Retroperitoneoscopic Surgery for kidney/ ureteric stones and other pathologies
• Endoscopy assisted vascular techniques.
• Thoracoscopy (VATS)
• Hand assisted endoscopic surgery
• Laparoscopic surgery for Morbid obesity intragastric balloon, gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Diagnostic Laparoscopy
• Staging laparoscopy for cancer, lymphoma etc.

Contact us: Institute of Minimal Access, Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (iMAS)

• Room no. 400 (IV Floor), Special Ward Block
• Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi - 110060
• OPD: 42251742 / 7011880429 (9 am – 5 pm)
• Office: 42251617 (9 am – 5 pm)
• Emergency helpline: 9650077708 (Surgery related)
• [email protected]