FRONTIERS IN ONCO SURGERY CONFERENCE 2023!

Nashik has always been blessed with pleasant weather with serene surroundings especially during the months of April and May and thankfully these two days of conference were no exception! We are grateful to Dr. Raj Nagarkar, MD & Chief of Surgical oncology & Robotic services for providing a platform, unique in its own way, where consultants and students could not only showcase their experiences and talents but also imbibe the plethora of knowledge imparted by other dignitaries. Our surgical oncology residents, Dr. Mohsina, Dr. Soundarya and Dr. Archana were the masters of the ceremony and anchored and conducted the conference with grace for the next two days. We started well on time on Day 1 with the Head and Neck session with experienced and distinguished speakers like Dr. Prabha Yadav and Dr. Vishal Rao amongst several others. With a full house of esteemed faculties and delegates, head and neck session portrayed the evolution from radical surgery to minimal invasive surgeries with some excellent video presentations. The faculties also portrayed the importance of having a nerve stimulator in thyroid and parotid surgeries for easy and smooth prosecution of the procedures. One such presentation by Dr. Vishal Rao portrayed the importance of multidisciplinary approach of intervention radiology, speech and swallowing therapy to improve the post-operative outcome and quality of life of the patients. The conference was inaugurated by our Honorable Chief guests – Dr. Ravindra Kute, Senior surgeon and President, IMA, Maharashtra, Dr. Kapil Aher, Deputy director of health, Govt. of Maharashtra and Dr. Madhavi Gore Muthal, Secretary IMA, Nashik by lighting the lamp followed by a short speech by Dr. Kute. The next session was that of Breast and the paradigm shift in breast conserving surgery and oncoplasty was demonstrated excellently by distinguished senior surgeon Dr. Chinta Mani. Breast reconstruction and the importance of LYMPHA was highlighted by eminent plastic surgeon Dr. Ashok B.C which can shed light of hope for patients suffering from prolonged upper limb lymphedema after breast surgery. The session was followed by a lunch break and at the same time students for the surgical video competition were divided into 3 groups for preliminary assessment. Each group of 10 students each was judged by 2 faculties and 3 top videos from each group were to be presented the next day for final judgement.

The next session was Thorax where our own chief and mentor Dr. Raj Nagarkar presented a captivating video on robotic esophagectomy which kept everyone in the audience engrossed and glued to the screen even after a heavy lunch. Thorax session showcased how even morbid surgeries, once unthinkable can now be performed with ease with the help of minimally invasive methods.

The last session of the day was that of Bone and Soft tissues where the importance of 3D printing and customized pre-operative planning was highlighted. There is a saying that a well-planned case is a halfway-done case and that was exactly what was emphasized by Dr Pramod Chinder where he enthralled the audience by showcasing his 3D printed Giga prosthesis for shoulder chondrosarcoma.

The next attraction was the much-required gala dinner and banquet which came as a rescue for our academically overloaded brains, organized at an exquisite open arena in Express Inn, Nashik. The beautiful breeze and the soothing music by the live band musicians uplifted everyone’s spirits and elevated their moods. Our residents added to the glory of the musical evening by displaying their hidden talents and surprising everyone around. Loud laughter, squeals of excitement and mirth from the children accompanied by mouthwatering dishes made the evening delightful and truly worth remembering.

After a pleasant evening, the audience re-gathered early in the morning for a brainstorming Day 2 session. The first session was on Gastro-Intestinal and Hepatobiliary system with numerous insightful and didactic presentations by our eminent speakers. Noteworthy presentations were by Dr. Jagdish Kothari on robotic intersphincteric resections, Dr. Ravichand Siddachari on Laproscopic segment VII resection, Dr. Jaisingh Shinde on distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy and Dr. Parthasarathy on minimally invasive spleen preserving distal pancreatectomy. These remarkable presentations left vivid impressions in the minds of senior and junior surgeons alike.

After a quick lunch break, we embarked on the last session for the conference on Genito-urinary system. We are thankful to our senior and highly acclaimed surgical oncologist Dr. Abhay Dalvi for imparting his knowledge and profound experience on a complex surgical procedure – minimally invasive adrenalectomy and generously offering to help with the same whenever required. Dr Ajay Punpale showed us a unique way of laproscopic cystectomy and specimen delivery which was highly appreciated by the audience. Dr Raj Nagarkar presented on Robotic Radical Hysterectomy and Robotic Lymphadenectomy which was the last lecture of the day.

After a quick lunch break, we embarked on the last session for the conference on Genito-urinary system. We are thankful to our senior and highly acclaimed surgical oncologist Dr. Abhay Dalvi for imparting his knowledge and profound experience on a complex surgical procedure – minimally invasive adrenalectomy and generously offering to help with the same whenever required. Dr Ajay Punpale showed us a unique way of laproscopic cystectomy and specimen delivery which was highly appreciated by the audience. Dr Raj Nagarkar presented on Robotic Radical Hysterectomy and Robotic Lymphadenectomy which was the last lecture of the day.

The final excitement for the day for which everyone was waiting with eager anticipation was the surgical video competition by the Post graduate residents. The top 8 participants were Dr. Nikhil M (Kidwai), Dr. Abhiram Bhoyar (TMH), Dr. Veer Shah (GCRI), Dr. Rahul Krishnan (Kidwai), Dr. Sandeep Bammidi (HCG Manavata), Dr. Siddharth Jain (Kidwai), Dr. Mohsina Hussain (HCG Manavata) and Dr. Avinash Gikwad (HCG Manavata). The competition was tough, and the judges had a hard time deciding the winners but finally Dr. Nikhil, Dr. Avinash and Dr. Abhiram bagged the first, second and third prizes and were awarded with trophies and prize money of 25 thousand, 15 thousand and 10 thousand respectively.

The conference consisted of several new ideas and surgical techniques and we are sure that every single person attending the conference has acquired some new knowledge and has been benefitted in some way which can actually change their surgical practice for the better. The tremendous success of the conference was attributed to our team effort and there are certain names worth mentioning. Dr. Raj Nagarkar, who provided the platform for the conference, Dr. Sirshendu Roy, who supervised every tiny detail, Dr. Rajendra Dhondge and Dr. Aditya Adhav who coordinated with the guests and speakers and spent several sleepless nights working tirelessly and Dr. Vikas Jain who ensured smooth running of the entire conference. The efforts of the working committee consisting of DNB surgical oncology residents and Head and Neck Fellows are commendable. The working committee consisted of Dr. Avinash Gaikwad, Dr. Sandeep Bammidi, Dr. Soundarya Varadrajan, Dr. Utkarsh Ajgaonkar, Dr. Praveen Kumar Surpur, Dr. Kalyan Kumar Kunda, Dr. Koustabh Kumar, Dr. Mohsina Hussain, Dr. Archana Singh, Dr. Kaustubh Bendale, Dr. Richa Sharma, Dr. Riju Sathar, Dr. Supriya Dombre and Dr. Vishal Rana. Kudos to the entire marketing team consisting of Mr. Anirudha Shende, Mr. Prasanna Mehkarkar for organizing the event beautifully.

We thank everyone for participating actively in the conference and making it a huge success.

Thank you.