Dimapur, Aug. 14 (EMN): A first segmental thoracic anaesthesia for breast cancer surgery in Nagaland was performed by Dr. Khriesatalie Yhome (MD anaesthesia), Dr. Keduovinuo Keditsu (MCh cancer surgeon) and their team at Putuonuo Nursing Home, Kohima.
An update from Putuonuo Nursing Home stated that a 34-year-old lady with breast cancer was operated using selective nerve block at T5-T6 level of thoracic spine. It stated that she was awake throughout the 40-minute procedure and was able to eat food within one hour and went home three hours after the procedure with no complications.
It mentioned that segmental thoracic spinal anaesthesia, an upcoming trend in the field of anaesthesia, blocks only the nerves supplying the areas where surgery is to be done. The process avoids all the side effects of general anaesthesia (a combination of intravenous medicines and inhaled gases used to put a patient to sleep during surgery) such as nausea, vomiting, drowsiness etc. It added that patients also have better pain control after surgery. It stated that quick recovery and shorter hospital stay reduces the overall cost of treatment.
It stated that awake breast cancer surgery could be safely done on a day-care basis with high patient satisfaction, as most wished to return to the comforts of their home at the earliest. It added that the anaesthesia technique is highly appropriate for Nagaland with regard to the financial constraints and limited resources. It could be safely used in high-risk patients with serious medical problems or older patients where general anaesthesia is risky.
It further stated that awake breast cancer surgery has also found its importance during the COVID-19 pandemic. With bed shortages and risks of transmission, short procedure time and short hospital stay became the need of the hour.