Bhubaneswar: Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bhubaneswar, has emerged as a leader in performing complex heart surgeries using minimally invasive techniques, eliminating the need to cut through the chest bone.
Dr. Amit Kumar Agarwal, Consultant Cardiac Surgeon at KIMS, recently performed a minimally invasive mitral valve replacement on a 54-year-old patient suffering from severe mitral valve stenosis in the heart’s left chamber. Traditionally, such surgeries require cutting through the sternum, which often results in significant postoperative pain and a long, prominent scar. However, in this advanced approach, a small incision is made on the side of the chest, and the surgeon operates between the ribs without cutting them.
The cost of such procedures is lower at KIMS in comparison to other centres in Odisha, benefitting patients coming from different backgrounds.
“This technique significantly reduces postoperative pain, minimizes bleeding, and leaves behind only a barely visible scar,” said Dr. Agarwal, adding that the procedure demands exceptional surgical skills and specialized high-end instruments. He said that women patients are especially opting for minimally invasive procedures.
KIMS is currently performing a range of such minimally invasive procedures, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and repairs of septal defects. These techniques, which are fast replacing conventional open-heart surgeries in top international centres, are now being made accessible to patients in Odisha — thanks to KIMS’s commitment to adopting cutting-edge technology.
The adoption of these methods has helped KIMS prevent patients from having to travel out of state for advanced cardiac surgeries, making it a hub of excellence in the region. “In this era where less invasive procedures are gaining momentum, minimal and robotic surgeries are undoubtedly the future of cardiac care,” Dr. Agarwal emphasized. KIMS continues to stay at the forefront of innovation, setting new benchmarks in healthcare delivery in Eastern India.
