SNS KASHMIR
Srinagar, Dec 26: The Sher‑i‑Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) has achieved a landmark milestone by successfully carrying out the Union Territory’s first minimally invasive, scar‑free thyroid surgery.
The procedure, led by Prof. Dr. Ajaz Ahmad Malik, Head of the Department of General and Minimal Invasive Surgery, employed a remote‑access technique that removes the thyroid gland without a visible neck incision, reducing postoperative pain, shortening hospital stays and eliminating the cosmetic scar typically associated with thyroidectomy.
The surgical team, which included Prof. Munir Wani, Dr. Gowhar Aziz, Dr. Bilal A. Wagay and Dr. Azher Mushtaq, was supported by an anesthetic team headed by Prof. Dr. Shoukat Ahmad Gurcoo. SKIMS Director Prof. M. Ashraf Ganie praised the breakthrough, noting that the technique uses standard laparoscopic instruments rather than costly specialized equipment, making the surgery more affordable and accessible to a wider patient pool.
This achievement underscores SKIMS’ commitment to advancing surgical care in the region and positions the institute as a leader in innovative, patient‑centric healthcare.