HealthCare Global Enterprises (HCG) has invested Rs.2.5 crore to install the ‘declipseSpect’, a free hand Intra Operative 3D radio-guided surgery which will transform cancer care. The equipment which is a combination of imaging and gamma node is now seen a standard of care for cancers of the breast, skin, endometrial and cervix cancers.

According to HCG, it is first hospital in Asia to have installed the Intra Operative 3D radio-guided surgery. The equipment designed and manufactured by the Germany-based SurgicEye which is the world’s first FDA and CE certified equipment for intra-operative three-dimensional visualization of radio-labeled tissues. It allows the detection, localization and guided biopsy of sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer, melanoma, and head-neck malignancies.

Dr Joerg Traub, inventor and founder, SurgicEye GmbH who was here in Bengaluru, said that HCG is a technology partner for Intra Operative 3D radio-guided surgery and 15 cases have already been attended to with this equipment. Now efforts are on to set up a regional training and is now the Centre of Excellence within its premises. This will help the company to tap more orders. Incidentally discussions have commended with Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai and Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology for the sale of the Intra Operative 3D radio-guided surgery.

The ‘declipseSpect’ a free hand Intra Operative 3D radio-guided surgery is a guidance support for invasive surgery and documents the completes removal of the tumour.

“The usage and benefits of the declipseSpect’ are varied, The new technology helps to identify and image the sentinel node intra-operatively. It helps to accurately locate the lymph with smaller incisions. Less trauma and shorter operation time. It was also the most precise way to detect and avoid false negativity,” said Dr Mahesh Bandemegal, consultant, surgical oncologist, HCG at a press conclave.

According to Dr Krithika Murugan, consultant oncologist, HCG, traditionally the Sentinel or gamma probe was used to locate the sentinel lymph node. Its accuracy was less desirable and involved subjective guesswork on the part of the surgeon. Now with the declipseSpect’ the process was easier and faster. It also provided information to the surgeon that on the accurate depth of the lymph node.