The Department of Surgical Gastroenterology at NRIAS has undergone a remarkable transformation since November 2021, evolving into a centre of excellence that combines advanced surgical expertise, cutting-edge technology, multidisciplinary teamwork, and compassionate patient care. Over these years, the department has steadily expanded its scope of work, embraced innovation, and established itself as one of the leading hubs for complex gastrointestinal and hepatopancreatobiliary surgery in the region.

From the early days of performing advanced resections for GI cancers, major liver resections, and biliary reconstructions, the department rapidly established protocols for patient safety, perioperative care, and quality assurance. Critical thinking and evidence-based decision-making became the cornerstones of every clinical discussion and operative plan.

The Spectrum of Surgeries:

Over time, the department has come to perform a wide range of open, laparoscopic, and advanced minimally invasive procedures, including:

• Hepatic surgery: Major and minor hepatectomies, parenchymal-sparing resections, liver resections for hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, metastases, hemangiomas, and other benign tumours.
• Biliary surgery: Hepaticojejunostomy, redo biliary reconstructions, choledochal cyst surgeries, and complex reoperative procedures.
• Pancreatic surgery: Whipple’s procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy), distal and central pancreatectomies, procedures for chronic pancreatitis (Puestow, Frey), and necrosectomies for infected pancreatic necrosis.
• Colorectal and gastric resections: Laparoscopic and open colectomies (right, left, extended, total), anterior resections, restorative proctocolectomy, gastrectomy, and esophagectomy.
• Portal hypertension and splenic surgery: Splenectomy, devascularization procedures, shunt surgeries, and management of hypersplenism and left-sided portal hypertension.
• Abdominal wall reconstruction and complex hernia surgery: Advanced repair of incisional hernias, component separation techniques, mesh reconstructions, laparoscopic and open abdominal wall repairs for recurrent or giant hernias, with a focus on restoring both function and form.
• Bariatric and metabolic surgery: Sleeve gastrectomy and advanced metabolic procedures.
• Emergency and trauma surgery: For perforations, acute bleeds, and hepatopancreatobiliary trauma.
• Transplant-related procedures: Donor hepatectomy-related surgery, reoperations, and post-transplant biliary reconstructions in collaboration with transplant teams.

This comprehensive surgical portfolio is supported by the latest technology — CUSA for precise liver transection, and the STORZ 4K RUBINA system with ICG fluorescence imaging for superior visualization and anatomical precision.

Since November 2021, the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology at NRIAS has transformed into a centre where cutting-edge technology, complex surgeries, multidisciplinary collaboration, and patient empathy converge. With CUSA and STORZ 4K RUBINA with ICG, evidence-based protocols, and an unyielding commitment to safety and quality, the department is now at the forefront of surgical gastroenterology in the region. The journey so far is only the beginning — as the present faculty and their multidisciplinary colleagues continue to innovate, inspire, and heal, the department is poised to achieve even greater heights in the years to come.