News
16th Apr 2021 Site
VF Patient Blog: Getting your first PET-CT scan can be scary and intimidating for many people. Read more about what you should expect and prepare for before your first PET-CT scan.
Please click on the title above to read the whole article.
13th Apr 2021 Site
On Friday, April 9th, we had an informative webinar program from Dr. Sunil Shroff. Dr. Shroff is a leading transplant surgeon affiliated with the Madras Medical Mission Hospital in Chennai and is the managing trustee of a non-government and non-profit organization called the MOHAN Foundation. A major focus of his work is to raise awareness of deceased organ donation transplantation in India so that more at-risk individuals can be provided with a life-saving organ. The edited video from the LIVE program is now available on the VFRSI website. please use this link:
https://vfrsi.vattikutifoundation.com/organ-donation-
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13th Apr 2021 Site
We are excited to have two top Bariatric Robotic Surgeons joining us on April 23 for a patient-centric Vattikuti Foundation Webinar Series program on managing obesity. Obesity is the mother of many non-communicable diseases and is rapidly becoming a source of great concern among healthcare professionals. This webinar will cover the current concepts of etiology, complications, prevention, medical and surgical management of this disease.
We invite you to attend what we expect will be a highly informative Webinar. Please use this link to register:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zZVbqkcDS7GrafvKX2mtYg
Registration is limited to the first 100 participants.
Please click on the headline above for more information.
05th Apr 2021 Site
The Vattikuti Foundation Seeks to Expand Robotic Surgery Fellowship Partner Institutions and Mentors
The Vattikuti Foundation has been supporting the development of medical science uses for robotic surgery for two decades around the globe, beginning with sponsoring the pioneering work of Dr. Mani Menon. The Foundation is credited with training 100 international fellows and over 50 Vattikuti Fellows in India, thanks to our Mentor Surgeons and their institutions. Currently as we prepare for the 2021-2022 series of Vattikuti Fellowships, we would invite other interested Indian Academic Medical Institutions and Robotic Surgeons to apply to become part of this successful program.
Please Note: Up to ten (10) Vattikuti Fellowships will be awarded for 2021-2022, so not all deserving institutions will be successful in receiving one of these prestigious Fellowships!
Please click on the above headline for more details
30th Mar 2021 Site
UPDATE: The video from the Vattikuti Foundation Webinar Series Master Class in collaboration with the International Continence Society from Friday, March 26, 2021 is now available on the VFRSI website.
Identification and Treatment of High-Risk Neurogenic Bladder: Can the Global Urological Community Eliminate Preventable Kidney Disease?
Recorded from a Vattikuti Foundation-International Continence Society is an exceptionally informative Master Class first webcast on March 26, 2021.
Description:
Renal failure is the risk inherent to the neurogenic bladder. Historically, in pre urodynamic era renal dysfunction occurred in half the patients with spina bifida and in almost all the patients with spinal cord injuries leading to death in both groups. Intense research in the field has significantly contained morbidity and improved the quality of life of these patients. The introduction of clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) in the 70s improved mortality from sepsis but the risk of renal failure persisted. Contemporaneous pharmacologic interventions help to sustain bladder pressures within the safe range.Over the past few decades, long term management of neuropathic bladders has emerged as a speciality within the speciality of Urology. Personalized treatment of the high-risk patients with neuropathic bladder during the different stages of progression needs focused attention of the urologist.
We have invited Drs. Sinha, Enrico and Rizwan, internationally recognized authorities on the subject to enlighten the participants with the fineries of the overall care beyond CIC and treatment of urinary tract infection. This Master Class would be immensely useful for practicing urologists and postgraduates alike who are desirous of understanding the subject at the conceptual level.
Following the formal presentations listed below, several case studies are considered by the panel, starting at 54:38. Lectures, with PPT's, discussions & commentary, TRT 143:08
Presented by the Vattikuti Foundation in collaboration with the International Continence Society.
Faculty:
Dr Sanjay Sinha, India (Presentation 42:06 - 54:38)
Dr Enrico Finazzi Agrò, Italy (Presentation 11:15 - 25:30)
Dr Rizwan Hamid, UK (Presentation 25:30 - 42:06)
Dr Mahendra Bhandari, US (welcome, discussion segments)
LINK:
https://vfrsi.vattikutifoundation.com/high-risk-neurogenic-bladder-vf-ics-mc:
29th Mar 2021 Site
Common Colon Cancer Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
What is Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is a cancer of the large intestine. It begins with an abnormal growth in the intestine’s tissue lining called polyps. Polyps can either be cancerous or noncancerous in nature. In a colon cancer patient, these polyps increase in size and impede the intestine's normal function. The colon cancer might spread to other parts of the body.
Colon cancer is most commonly found in people belonging to the older demographic (aged 50 plus). When common colon cancer symptoms are ignored and not diagnosed at an early stage, they have a tendency to become life-threatening. Based on a statistical survey by the American Cancer Society, around 149,500 new colon cancer cases and 52,980 deaths will be reported in the USA in 2021. This makes colon cancer the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths.
Most Common Colon Cancer Symptoms
In the early stages of the disease, colon cancer patients experience minor or no symptoms. Some early warning signs can help detect and prevent it from spreading.
Here are the most common colon cancer symptoms that need to be taken very seriously:
· Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool.
· Changes in your bowel habits.
· Constipation.
· Diarrhea.
· Narrow stools.
· Persistent abdominal pain, such as cramps or gas.
· Tenesmus, which is the feeling your bowel doesn't empty completely.
· Anemia caused by iron deficiency.
· Weakness or fatigue.
· Unexplained weight loss.
· Unexplained loss of appetite.
Colon Cancer Risk Factors
Factors that put you at high risk of colon cancer are as following:
· Older age. Colon cancer is more common in people aged 50 years or older.
· African-American race. African-Americans have a greater risk of colon cancer as compared to people of other races.
· Family history of colon cancer.
· Family history of cancerous and noncancerous polyps.
· Chronic inflammatory diseases.
· Inherited syndromes like familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC).
· Low-fiber, high-fat diet.
· A sedentary lifestyle.
· Diabetes.
· Obesity.
· Smoking.
· Alcohol.
· Previous exposure to radiation therapy.
Early Detection & Prevention
'Prevention is better than cure,' and it is absolutely true in this case. Consult your doctor about when to begin your colon cancer screening. According to guidelines, people aged 50 years or older should start their regular colon cancer screenings to detect the disease. Patients who chose regular colonoscopies were 46% less likely to develop colon cancer and 88% less likely to die of it when screened at recommended ten-year intervals.
People under 50 who have a family history of colon or other cancers are also at high risk. It is recommended that they consult their doctor regarding colon cancer screening to prevent the disease from spreading its roots.
To reduce the risk of colon cancer, you need to switch to a healthier lifestyle. You can take the following steps to make small changes in your everyday life:
· Increase intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that are rich in vitamins and nutrients.
· Stop drinking alcohol or limit the amount you consume.
· Stop smoking.
· Exercise regularly.
· Maintain your weight.
Colon Cancer Treatment
A suspected colon cancer patient undergoes various laboratory and clinical tests to confirm the diagnosis. The most common tests recommended by doctors are colonoscopy and barium enema. Other diagnosis methods are fecal occult blood test, stool DNA test, flexible virtual colonoscopy.
After the confirmation of the diagnosis, a CT scan, transrectal ultrasound, or PET scan is conducted to determine the stage of the disease. No treatment can be planned unless a piece of tumor tissue (biopsy) is removed during colonoscopy and the final diagnosis made by a pathologist.
There are various treatment options available to help control colon cancer. This includes surgery, radiation therapy, and drug treatments, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. 'Robotic Colorectal Surgery' has emerged as an effective, minimally invasive treatment of choice.
To find out more about robotic surgery visit the Vattikuti Foundation website: vfrsi.vattikutifoundation.com
The Vattikuti Foundation is a not for profit organization involved in surgeon and patient education at the global level. It has played a pivotal role in the development and promotion of robotic and other surgical technologies to improve patient outcomes. Its mission is to ensure that every person is entitled to enjoy full health with the best available technological means.
26th Mar 2021 Site
The Vattikuti Foundation Webinar Series presents a new, live program for Patients:
Colorectal Cancers: all you need to know to reduce your risk
March is observed as Colorectal Cancer Awareness month and in continuation with that awareness drive, we bring forth this webinar for patient education. Colorectal Cancers (CRCs) are the 3rd most common cancers in the world and the 4th leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Around 1.4 million new colorectal cancers are detected every year and around 0.7 million deaths occur annually due to this cancer. Fortunately, enough CRCs have the best prognosis amongst all GI cancers and 90% of CRCs are preventable!
Please join former Vattikuti Fellow Dr Shabnam Bashir and Dr James Kinross from Imperial College London, as they guide patients on how to make healthy choices for helping to prevent colorectal cancers- or how to take action to receive an early diagnosis- if you suspect an issue.
April 03, 2021 at 6:30 pm IST | 2:00 pm GMT | 9:00 am EDT Zoom Registration link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-bU35GT0QIW2p3FIhW__lA
11th Mar 2021 Site
Description
09th Mar 2021 Site
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Friday. March 12th at 9AM EST, 7:30PM IST will be our next webinar: Sexual health & the Circle of Life, Featuring Dr. Latika Chawla talking about woman's reproductive health, this is an important program for women of all ages.. Dr. Neha Bothara will be the Moderator. We invite you to attend this highly educational webinar. Here is the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XHkXTJnuTomg8T6aWCevYw Please click on the above headline to access more information. |
08th Mar 2021 Site
The historic collaboration between the Kidney & Urology Institute, Medanta, The Medicity and the Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Hospital has resulted in a new article in the February 2021 issue of The Journal of Urology: Robotic Kidney Transplantation with Regional Hypothermia versus Open Kidney Transplantation for Patients with End Stage Renal Disease: An Ideal Stage 2B Study.
Here is what one of the lead authors, Dr. Akshay Sood told the VF: "Over the past 8 years, more than 25 centers worldwide have adopted the technique of RKT with regional hypothermia developed at the Vattikuti Urology Institute (Detroit) and Medanta Hospital (Delhi). This paper is the first comparative paper on open versus robotic KT in a prospective fashion. The authors conclude that RKT is associated with lower blood loss, smaller incisions, lower postoperative pain, and narcotic analgesic use, as well as reduced wound complications and symptomatic lymphoceles, as compared to the traditional open KT. The graft function, rates of graft rejection, and graft and overall survival were similar among open and robotic KT patients."
The study can be found here: THE JOURNAL OF UROLOGY Vol. 205, 595-602, February 2021
Please click on the above headline for more content.