Media Release
Mangaluru, Oct 29: Father Muller Medical College Hospital (FMMCH) has successfully performed two complex lung surgeries between September and October 2026 using the state-of-the-art uniportal VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) technique. The patients have been doing well post-routine check-up in the third 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, including faster recovery, less post-operative pain, reduced hospital stay, and an 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 departments of surgical oncology, respiratory medicine, and anaesthesiology.
Dr Elroy Saldanha 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 patients 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 poured in from the director of FMCI, Fr Faustine L Lobo; administrator of FMMCH, George Sequeira; dean of FMMC; and medical superintendent of FMMCH for such an innovative procedure done for the safer recovery of the patient.