Purbanchal Hospital starts 'free flap reconstruction surgery' first time

The Birtamod-based Purbanchal Cancer Hospital has started providing 'free flap reconstruction surgery' services.

“Free flap,” also known as “free tissue transfer,” is a term for a procedure in which tissue and its blood supply (artery and vein) are surgically removed from one part of the body and transferred to another area of the body for the purpose of reconstruction. It is the equivalent of transplant surgery, but because it comes from the patient’s own body, no long-term medications are required after surgery.

The hospital provides this service for reconstruction of the face of the patient after surgically removing the cancerous tumors and tissues from the ear, nose, and throat. The Hospital is being run for the last two years. The Managing Director of the proposed B&C Medical College, Durga Prasai, has invested in this Hospital.

Hospital's medical director Dr Birendra Yadav said experienced human resources and appliances have been managed for conducting the 'free flap reconstruction surgery' with the objective of providing full treatment for cancer within the country.

He said the number of patients suffering from ENT cancer was increasing worldwide and not only in Nepal. According to him, tobacco and alcohol consumption is the main reason causing this type of cancer.

Surgeon Dr Bajarang Saha heads the Free Flap Reconstruction Surgery Department at the Hospital. He has worked as the ENT cancer surgeon at the Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences for 12 years.

Dr Saha shared that the free flap reconstruction surgery has been started for the first time in the country.

It is said it costs between Rs 2 million to 2.5 million for free flap reconstruction surgery in India while the same costs Rs 300 thousand here.

The hospital has treated 22,530 cancer patients in two years. Of them, 700 surgeries were performed, said the Public Relations Officer of the Hospital, Pramis Giri.

Giri shared a biopsy test of 3,500 people, chemotherapy of 2,810 people, radiotherapy of 953 people, and brachytherapy of 140 people was carried out so far.

The hospital has formed a Surgical Oncology Department under the leadership of Dr Mukti Devkota, Reconstruction Surgery Department under the leadership of Dr Bajrang Sah, and Radiology Department under the leadership of Dr Birendra Yadav in order to provide complete treatment service of cancer.

Executive Cheif of the Hospital, Dr Nirajan Prasain, said that 10,000 tests would be carried out free of cost to create awareness as many women have been found suffering from ovarian cancer.

Health camps would be organised in many districts including Jhapa, Ilam, Panchthar, and Taplejung for the same and Rs 100,000 would be provided to those found suffering from cancer in health camps for the treatment, he added.

Similarly, OPD service would be provided free of cost at the hospital from August 22. Dr Prasain announced providing health insurance to 1,000 poor families by the hospital.