Advanced technology at Max Hospital
TrueBeam Linac with Exactrac
This is a precision radiation delivery technique for Stereotactic Radio Surgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT). These methods have been developed to deliver treatment with minimal harm to normal tissues. In the technology of SRS, the total dose is delivered in one fraction, while for SRT, the total dose is delivered in 5-10 fractions.
These radiation therapies aim to increase the cure rate with minimal toxicity. Various techniques such as 3 DCRT, IMRT and IGRT are used for this. Another major advantage of this technique is reduced total treatment time from 7-8 weeks to 1-2 days or 1-2 weeks.
This leads to a considerable increase in patient comfort and adjustment to the treatment. As the daily treatments are delivered with sub-millimeter precision for limited radiation exposure, thereby reducing the risk of toxicity to various organs to negligible.
These intracranial/extracranial techniques are performed using the next-generation linear accelerators having stereotactic treatments and imaging facilities. This ensures the proper treatment for moving tumors such as the liver, pancreas, lung as they can be targeted with real-time movements.
Intra-Operative & Portable CT scanner with Navigation
Intra-operative CT is a portable, multi-slice, full-body 32 Slice CT scanner which is one of the most advanced systems for image-guided surgical procedures. It allows neurosurgeons to perform surgery with more accuracy, precision and real-time analysis.
With this scanner, images can be obtained while performing surgery in the operating room, thereby proving real-time data and reducing the need to transport patients to and from the radiology department. It also enables the surgeons to make critical decisions during the surgery.
The equipment allows intraoperative imaging of the brain and spine to perform image-guided surgery, hence increasing the accuracy to perform neurological and spinal procedures. Using this scanner, the surgeons can also assess the patient’s condition before completing the surgery.
Intra-operative Nerve Monitoring System
Max Hospital, Saket has a continuous Intra-operative Neuro Monitoring system that aids in mitigating the risks of neurological deficits during a surgery. This monitoring system offers the advantage of reducing the risk of nerve damage while performing surgery. It also aids in preserving the quality of life post-surgery.
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)
This is a minimally invasive procedure that can be used for the treatment of some digestive, gastrointestinal and pancreatobiliary, as well as lung diseases. The system produces detailed images of the internal organs, such as the pancreas, liver and lymph nodes, along with the lining and walls of the digestive tract and chest.
Endoscopic ultrasound is more than a diagnostic imaging modality, as it has been actively used for invasive diagnostics and therapeutic procedures. The technology remains the best imaging model for the diagnosis of pancreatic tumors, cysts, stones and lymph nodes. It has also been applied as a therapeutic tool for cancer-related pain.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a high-precision radiation therapy technique in which a high dose of radiation is delivered to destroy the tumor. The advantage is that it reduces the risk of exposure and damage to the surrounding healthy tissues.
This treatment is indicated based on the size and location of the tumor. The treatment is usually given in a single dose or more than 5 doses. It is typically used for treating small tumors (3-7cms) in the pelvic region, kidney, spine and liver as well as other kinds of cancers such as prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer and sarcomas throughout the body.
The device can be adjusted to accommodate the tumor’s physical and biological parameters and deliver the right dosage to precisely target and kill the cancerous cells.
Brachytherapy
It is a cutting-edge technology that has proven to be a success in the treatment of prostate cancer, cervical cancer, endometrium cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, bronchus cancer, esophagus cancer, and head and neck tumors, as well as soft tissue sarcomas and several other types of cancer.
Bi-Plane Digital Cathlab
BiPlane technology is used for the diagnosis as well as treatment of disorders of brain, spinal cord, neck and face. Using this technique, an interventional neurologist can safely treat nervous system disorders such as aneurysms, arterio-venous malformations (AVM), stroke and nose bleeds.
It is a minimally invasive technique that eliminates the need for open surgery and offers the benefits of faster recovery and shorter hospitalization. The biplane system provides the doctor high-resolution 3D images of the blood vessels supplying to the brain.
The system uses 2 sets of imaging sources & rotating cameras, which can move freely and independently. It captures the image at the rate of 30 frames/ second and from 2 regions of the patient’s head – front to back & side to side. It enables the doctor to reduce the time taken by the positioning and re-positioning and makes it a less time-consuming process.
HIPEC
Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a treatment for advanced-stage abdominal cancers, such as colorectal cancer, appendiceal (appendix) cancer, primary peritoneal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, ovarian and stomach cancer.
HIPEC enables delivery of a highly concentrated, heated chemotherapy treatment directly to the abdomen during surgery. It is different from systemic chemotherapy, in which the drug circulates throughout the body. HIPEC delivers chemotherapy directly to cancer cells in the target location which allows a higher dose of chemotherapy treatment.
Heating the solution also leads to improvement of the absorption of chemotherapy drugs by tumors and destroys remaining microscopic cancer cells in the abdomen after surgery. This method also aids in minimizing the exposure to chemotherapy to the rest of the body, and may even reduce some side effects of chemotherapy.
Before HIPEC treatment, the experts at Max Hospital perform cytoreductive surgery to remove visible tumors from the abdomen and use this novel technique to treat previously untreatable abdominal malignancies and were offered only palliative care.
Extra Corporeal Membrane Therapy (ECMO)
Extra Corporeal Membrane Therapy (ECMO) is top-notch rescue therapy for the treatment of heart and lung failure, but is neurologically intact. This technology provides support for the high-risk procedures in the cardiac catheterization lab after a heart attack.
As a bridge for patients awaiting a lung transplant, ECMO works by keeping the tissues well-oxygenated and make the candidate suitable for a transplant. When a patient is connected to ECMO, blood flows through a tube to an artificial lung in the machine, which oxygenates it and removes the carbon dioxide. The blood is warmed following this to match the body’s temperature and pumped back into the body.
The medical team evaluates the candidates and generally offers ECMO therapy to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) secondary to pneumonia, aspiration, severe air leak. Also those with Refractory Septic / Cardiogenic Shock; Post Arrest shock; Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension; Myocarditis – viral or scorpion sting; Meconium Aspiration; Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia; and poisoning.
Da Vinci Xi Robotic System
Da Vinci XI Robotics system is the most advanced robot-assisted system for minimally invasive surgery. The surgeon only needs small incisions to operate and uses a high-resolution 3D vision to view anatomical structures in natural colors while performing the surgery.
During the operation, the surgeon is seated at a control console and manipulates the robot arms to perform the action. They can observe the operative field through a video monitor and manually controls the robotic arms. A small wristed instrument helps bending and rotate greater than the human hand, which makes it a superior technology with high precision and control to the surgeon.
The team of surgeons using the Da Vinci Surgical System at Max Hospital, Saket are experts in this field. It can be indicated to patients diagnosed with several complex conditions such as some urological procedures, and surgical removal of cancers of cervix, prostate, uterus, colon/rectum, lung, as well as heart disease and fibroid tumors.
