Chennai Doctors Remove Rare Tumor Using Robotic Surgery

For months, a 60-year-old woman in Chennai experienced terrifying episodes of unconsciousness caused by dangerously low blood sugar, but nobody could figure out why. Doctors at Kauvery Hospital, Vadapalani, finally discovered the culprit: an insulinoma, a rare pancreatic tumor so small and hidden that traditional imaging couldn't detect it.

Insulinomas are notoriously difficult to find because they often measure just millimeters across. This particular tumor was tucked into the neck of the pancreas, one of the most challenging locations to access.

The diagnostic team, led by Dr. P. Basumani, used specialized blood tests and targeted endoscopic ultrasound to pinpoint the exact location. Traditional CT scans and MRIs had missed it entirely, highlighting why these tumors can go undiagnosed for years.

Once located, the surgical team faced another challenge: removing the tumor without damaging the delicate pancreatic tissue surrounding it. Dr. Swaminathan Sambandam led the robotic-assisted surgery, which allowed for precision that would be nearly impossible with traditional open surgery.

The robot's tiny instruments could navigate the complex anatomy with millimeter accuracy. This technology proved essential for accessing the tumor's difficult location at the pancreatic neck.

Why This Inspires

The patient's blood sugar levels began normalizing within hours of the surgery, ending months of frightening unconscious episodes. Her swift recovery demonstrates how far surgical technology has advanced in treating conditions that were once extremely risky to address.

This case offers hope to others suffering from mysterious symptoms that conventional tests can't explain. Advanced diagnostic tools like endoscopic ultrasound are making the invisible visible, while robotic surgery is making the unreachable reachable.

For patients with insulinomas, the prognosis after successful removal is excellent. Most experience immediate symptom relief and can return to normal life without the constant fear of sudden unconsciousness.

The success at Kauvery Hospital shows how combining cutting-edge technology with medical expertise can solve diagnostic puzzles that once seemed impossible to crack.