Landmark kidney surgeries performed at Browns Hospitals Ragama.

The surgical and assistant team

Performing a keyhole surgery

A successful laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (the removal of only a part of the kidney, through a key-hole surgery) was conducted at Browns Hospital Ragama recently.

The patient, Wijewardena, a resident of Vavuniya, was diagnosed with a cancer in his kidneys, which required immediate surgery and the patient was referred to Browns Hospitals.

This complex advanced renal surgery, a medical breakthrough for the Private Healthcare industry in Sri Lanka, was performed by Consultant Urological Surgeon, Dr. Aruna Nandasena along with Dr. Randima Nanayakkara-Consultant Oncosurgeon, Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura and Dr. Sagarika Ranasinghe-Consultant Anaesthetist, Teaching Hospital Ragama. The surgery was performed under 4 hours equipped with state-of-the-art facilities available at Browns Hospital Ragama.

Though a novel procedure for Sri Lanka, Dr. Nandasena comes with in-depth experience in performing laparoscopic surgeries whilst in the UK.

“I am indeed honoured to have had the opportunity to perform a laparoscopic partial nephrectomy at Browns Hospitals and pleased to have been able to provide the patient with the opportunity of a new lease in life. The surgery was concluded successfully and the patient recovered well,” stated Dr. Aruna Nandasena.

“This type of surgery provides patients with a safe and effective way to remove a renal cancer, while preserving the remainder of the kidney. This is a minimally invasive method, which provides patients with less discomfort and positive results when compared to the traditional open surgery,” he added.

Explaining laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, in layman’s language, means removing a part or portion of the kidney through a key holes in the abdomen. This procedure removes only the diseased or infected portion of the kidney and leaves the rest of the organ intact.

Compared to traditional open surgery where the patient is left with a large scar and longer healing and resting time, laparoscopic procedures are done through very small incisions that heal with hardly any visible scar. Laparoscopic surgeries require very little post-operative hospital care and enables the patient to normalcy a lot earlier.

The surgery team extended their gratitude to Dr. Priyanthi Rathnayake, Dr. Shirom Rajeev, Dr. Anwer Sadath and Dr. Thushara Sooriyarachi who assisted to prepare the patient pre and post-surgery.

In addition to the partial nephrectomy surgery, Dr. Aruna Nandasena has also performed a laparoscopic pyeloplasty at Browns Hospitals; an equally rare surgery. The surgery is a minimally invasive procedure, performed on patients suffering from a blockage or narrowing of the uterer (the tube that drains urine from the kidney to the bladder). 

This abnormality is called an ureteropelvic junction (UPJ), which is a condition whereby the drainage of the urine from the kidney is poor and sluggish. UPJ obstruction can potentially cause abdominal and flank pain, stones, infection, high blood pressure and deterioration of kidney function.

In comparison to the conventional open surgical technique, laparoscopic pyeloplasty has resulted in significantly less post-operative pain, a shorter hospital stay, earlier return to work and daily activities, a more favourable cosmetic result and outcomes identical to that of the open procedure.

Sharing his sentiments, the CEO of Browns Hospitals, Dr. Iraivan Thiyagarajah stated: “Browns Hospitals with its recent addition of an exclusive Dental Care unit, plans are underway to launch specialised care units, including a Kidney Care unit in the near future. In facilitating a fully-fledged service, we at Browns Hospitals aim to create awareness among the general public, especially the residents living in the outskirts of Colombo that one doesn’t necessarily have to commute to Hospitals in Colombo in order to receive reliable, efficient and affordable medical care. Leveraging on the hospital’s strong brand image and standing in the healthcare industry, we hope to draw in the residents of Colombo as well.”