Colombo North Centre for Liver Disease shares knowledge of revolutionary liver cancer treatment with foreign doctors
On March 27 and 28, a two-day workshop on "Liver Microwave Ablation (MWA) and Microwave Ablation combined with open surgery" was held by one of Sri Lanka's very own centers of excellence, the Colombo North Center for Liver Disease (CNCLD), which is based at the Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama for radiologists from India, Bangladesh, and China, who specialize in treating patients with liver cancer. It was a "reverse" exchange of knowledge as several foreign medical professionals from the region arrived in Sri Lanka to learn how to revolutionize cancer treatment in their own countries while working side by side with local medical professionals.
The hands-on trainers, experts in liver tumour ablation using microwaves, were Consultant Radiologists Dr. Chinthaka Appuhamy and Dr. Eranga Ganewatte; Professor of Gastroenterology & Hepatobiliary Surgeon, Prof. Rohan Siriwardena; Professor in Gastroenterology, Prof. Madunil Niriella; Senior Lecturers & Consultant Anaesthetists Dr. Bhaagya Gunetilleke & Dr. Oshani Amarasinghe; Lecturer & Gastrointestinal Surgeon Dr. Suchintha Tillakaratne; and Consultant Gastroenterologist Dr.Uditha Dassanayake.
The workshop included lectures, demonstrations, case discussions, and hands-on MWA practices using actual liver tumor ablation procedures. The lectures were created to impart knowledge on all facets of patient treatment and preparation. The participants learned about the intended uses of MWA, how to choose candidates who would benefit from the treatment, how to prepare patients for MWA, the risks associated with the procedure, potential short- and long-term complications, and how to manage them.
Live demonstrations in ward and theater settings helped learners understand in detail the technical components of MWA, such as needle placement, ablation zone size, power settings, and duration. Additionally, they witnessed how the multidisciplinary treatment strategy served the patients' needs to the fullest extent possible.
The program not only increased participant appreciation but also the networking and cooperation between radiologists from various nations.
The hands-on trainers, experts in liver tumour ablation using microwaves, were Consultant Radiologists Dr. Chinthaka Appuhamy and Dr. Eranga Ganewatte; Professor of Gastroenterology & Hepatobiliary Surgeon, Prof. Rohan Siriwardena; Professor in Gastroenterology, Prof. Madunil Niriella; Senior Lecturers & Consultant Anaesthetists Dr. Bhaagya Gunetilleke & Dr. Oshani Amarasinghe; Lecturer & Gastrointestinal Surgeon Dr. Suchintha Tillakaratne; and Consultant Gastroenterologist Dr.Uditha Dassanayake.
The workshop included lectures, demonstrations, case discussions, and hands-on MWA practices using actual liver tumor ablation procedures. The lectures were created to impart knowledge on all facets of patient treatment and preparation. The participants learned about the intended uses of MWA, how to choose candidates who would benefit from the treatment, how to prepare patients for MWA, the risks associated with the procedure, potential short- and long-term complications, and how to manage them.
Live demonstrations in ward and theater settings helped learners understand in detail the technical components of MWA, such as needle placement, ablation zone size, power settings, and duration. Additionally, they witnessed how the multidisciplinary treatment strategy served the patients' needs to the fullest extent possible.
The program not only increased participant appreciation but also the networking and cooperation between radiologists from various nations.