Srinagar, May 15 (KNO): The Department of Urology at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar's Super Speciality Hospital has achieved a medical milestone by successfully performing the first Primary Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS) on a five-year-old child.
According to details obtained by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the surgery was conducted to treat a 2 cm renal stone using a minimally invasive technique. RIRS, an advanced endoscopic procedure, enables surgeons to remove kidney stones through the natural urinary passage without any external incisions.
The method utilises a flexible ureterorenoscope and a laser lithotripsy tool to precisely fragment/dust and remove the stones, renowned for its high success rate and minimal recovery time.
Dr Sajad Nazir, Head of the Department of Urology at SSH GMC Srinagar, said a young patient was admitted with symptoms of severe abdominal pain and difficulty in urination. After thorough diagnostic evaluations, a large renal stone was identified, leading the urology department to opt for RIRS as the safest and most effective treatment option considering the child's age and the stone's size, he said.
Dr Sajad explained, “Performing RIRS on such a young patient presented unique challenges, but our team was well-prepared. The procedure was completed successfully, and the patient responded very well. We are proud to have set this precedent in the region.”
Post-surgery, the patient was closely monitored and discharged the next day without any complications, ensuring minimal discomfort and a swift recovery due to the minimally invasive nature of RIRS, he said.
“This achievement underscores our commitment to providing cutting-edge medical care. We are dedicated to advancing urological treatments and improving patient outcomes through innovative techniques like RIRS,” he said.
PMC/Dean Prof (Dr) Iffat Hassan Shah congratulated the department for this feat and appreciated their hard work and dedication to patient care and academic excellence. She stressed the high quality of surgeries and the department's commitment to providing state-of-the-art medical services.
Dr Jehangir Bakhshi, the Medical Superintendent of SSH, highlighted the hospital's commitment to providing advanced medical services, which boasts a team of experienced professionals and advanced medical technology.
Dr Tanveer Iqbal, Associate Professor Dept of Urology, explained that while pediatric renal calculi were previously managed with MiniPCNL and ESWL, RIRS offers advantages such as negligible bleeding, faster recovery, and a shorter return to normal activity period.
This pediatric patient, being from a far-off place, was managed with RIRS. He was discharged in normal condition and has resumed schooling,” he said—(KNO)