11-hour surgery conducted to remove cancer spread across six organs in 40yo patient at Doon

DEHRADUN: The administration of Sant Mahant Indiresh Hospital (SMIH) claimed to have created history in the medical field by conducting a rare gallbladder cancer surgery, bringing the theme of World Cancer Day – 'United by Unique' to life.

Under the guidance of senior cancer surgeon, Dr Ajit Tiwari, a complex, multi-organ surgery was successfully performed on a 40-year-old patient suffering from gallbladder cancer, a case previously deemed inoperable, a communique from the hospital said. Dr Tiwari said that this case is especially significant because the cancer had spread from the gallbladder to the liver, bile duct, duodenum, pancreas, large intestine, and abdominal wall.


Given the critical condition, the patient was first administered six cycles of chemotherapy, which effectively controlled the progression of the cancer. After reassessment showed improvement, a surgery—lasting nearly 11 hours—was undertaken. During the operation, all affected organs were removed simultaneously to completely eliminate the cancer, a procedure medically known as multivisceral surgery. Six organs were removed and subsequently reconstructed by reconnecting them, the communique said.

The final histopathology report confirmed that the disease had been completely removed. Additionally, 23 lymph nodes, which commonly carry a risk of cancer spread, were also excised and were found to be completely cancer-free in the final examination.

The role of senior onco-anesthetist Dr Nishith Govil was also hailed. Maintaining anesthesia and patient stability during such a prolonged and major surgery is essential to ensure smooth post-operative recovery, the hospital said.

Following the surgery, the patient’s condition improved rapidly and he was discharged from the hospital in stable health on the eighth day.

Dr Tiwari said that with timely diagnosis, appropriate chemotherapy, and a coordinated effort by an experienced medical team, even the most complex cancer cases can be treated and lives can be saved.