Kashmir’s major tertiary-care hospital, the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) achieved a major surgical milestone by successfully performing a first-of-its-kind minimally invasive, scar-free thyroid surgery, officials said on Friday.
This landmark achievement marks a significant advancement in the region’s surgical capabilities and reinforces SKIMS’ position as a leader in cutting-edge patient care.
The pioneering procedure was performed by the Department of General and Minimal Invasive Surgery under the leadership of Dr. Ajaz Ahmad Malik, Head of the Department and the Endocrine & Breast Surgery Division.
The surgery involved a technically complex remote-access minimally invasive technique for thyroid gland removal, thereby avoiding a visible scar on the neck. This approach represents a major leap forward in minimally invasive and laparoscopic surgery and has been widely appreciated at both state and national surgical forums for its precision, reduced postoperative trauma, and improved patient recovery outcomes, a spokesperson of SKIMS said.
“Such path-breaking advancements in patient care reflect SKIMS’ unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence. Introducing scar-free, minimally invasive thyroid surgery in the region not only elevates our clinical capabilities but also brings world-class surgical care closer to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, in line with our defined objective of providing advanced, equitable, and patient-centric healthcare,” Director SKIMS M. Ashraf Ganie said.
