Doctors at Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj successfully performed a highly complex robotic pancreatic necrosectomy on a 51-year-old man suffering from Walled-Off Pancreatic Necrosis (WOPN), a rare and potentially life-threatening complication of acute pancreatitis. The team doctors led by Dr. Neeraj Chaudhary, Senior Director & Head, GI Surgery, GI Oncology & Robotics, Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj used advanced minimally invasive procedure to help the patient recover well, significantly reducing the risks of major complications associated with conventional open surgery.
The patient, Naveen Kumar Jain, was admitted at Fortis Vasant Kunj with recurrent abdominal pain, fever that had persisted for nearly two months. He was unable to tolerate solid food and had suffered significant weight loss during this period. Initially, he was 69 kgs, but due to the pancreatic condition, he lost a significant 12kgs. The patient had a history of multiple hospital admissions in Sonipat for severe abdominal pain requiring intravenous pain management, considering he was also diabetic.
Detailed investigations, including a CT scan of the abdomen, revealed a 6 cm x 6 cm walled-off Pancreatic Necrosis. Following a comprehensive evaluation, the multidisciplinary team of doctors decided to undertake a robotic pancreatic Necrosectomy with drainage of the intra-abdominal portion. During the procedure, the doctors found significant scar tissue around the infected pancreatic area. After carefully clearing the area, they drained nearly 450 ml of infected fluid and pus. The robotic approach enabled enhanced precision while operating around critical blood vessels and surrounding structures. The surgery was successfully performed in 5 hours, post which the patient gradually showed steady improvement. He was discharged in a stable condition in 8 days.
Giving details of the case, Dr. Neeraj Chaudhary, Senior Director & Head, GI Surgery, GI Oncology & Robotics, Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj, said, “Walled-Off Pancreatic Necrosis is among the most complex complications of pancreatitis and can become life-threatening if not managed at the right time. Surgery in these cases can be complex because scar tissue and anatomical changes make it difficult to access the affected area safely, increasing the risk of complications. Robotic surgery offers
superior visualization, enhanced dexterity and greater precision, allowing us to safely access and clear the infected pancreatic cavity while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissues. Compared to conventional open surgery, robotic pancreatic necrosectomy is associated with lower morbidity, shorter ICU and hospital stays and faster recovery. In this case, timely intervention prevented potentially devastating complications and enabled the patient to return to normal life.”
“WOPN remains one of the most challenging conditions to treat surgically due to severe inflammation,. If left untreated, the condition can lead to rupture of the pancreatic collection, life-threatening internal bleeding, severe malnutrition, brittle diabetes and a significant deterioration in quality of life,” he added.
Dr. Gurvinder Kaur, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj said, “The successful management of this case highlights Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj’s advanced expertise in robotic gastrointestinal and pancreatic surgery, reinforcing its commitment to delivering cutting-edge, patient-centric care for complex surgical conditions.”