Advanced Minimally Invasive Lung Surgery Successfully Performed at Father Muller Medical College Hospital
Father Muller Medical College Hospital (FMMCH) this September – October 2026 has successfully performed two complex lung surgeries using the state-of-the-art Uniportal VATS (Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery) technique. The patients have currently been doing well post routine check-up in the 3rd week of October.
The surgeries — Right Lower Lobectomy and Left Upper Lobectomy — were successfully performed by Dr Elroy Saldanha, Associate Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology, FMMC on patients diagnosed with lung disease.
Uniportal VATS is a highly advanced, minimally invasive approach that involves a single 3 to 4 cm incision in the chest wall to perform surgeries of the lung, bronchus and trachea. Unlike conventional thoracic surgeries, the procedure requires no rib excision and no major chest incision.
Due to its minimally invasive nature, the benefits to patients are significant:
– Faster recovery
– Less post-operative pain
– Reduced hospital stay
– Early return to routine activities
Both patients who underwent the procedure have shown excellent recovery and were discharged within 5 to 7 days. They have since resumed their normal routine activities.
This achievement was made possible through the concerted team effort of the Department of Surgical Oncology, Respiratory Medicine and Anaesthesiology.
Dr Elroy Saldanha has completed advanced training in Minimally Invasive Uniportal (single port) VATS at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, China and First Hospital of Lanzhou University (LZUFH) under the pioneer of Uniportal VATS, Dr Diego González Rivas in September 2026.
Dr Srishankar Assistant Professor, Pulmonary Medicine; Dr Carishma Assistant Professor, Pulmonary Medicine and Dr Ananth Somayaji, Assistant Professor, Anaesthesiology all from FMMCH were part of the team of Doctors who steered the patient through the process of surgery and recovery.
Dr Elroy also acknowledged the support of the Operation Theatre staff, Post-Operative Staff and Nursing Department for their exemplary care and steadfastness during and after the surgery.
This milestone marks another step by Father Muller Medical College Hospital towards bringing globally advanced, patient-friendly surgical care to coastal Karnataka.
Appreciations galore have been poured in from the Director FMCI Rev. Fr Faustine L. Lobo; Administrator FMMCH, George Sequeira; Dean FMMC; Medical Superintendent FMMCH for such an innovative procedure done for the safer recovery of the patient.
