Shillong, September 6, 2025: In a breakthrough development, doctors at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) have successfully performed a novel thyroid surgery on a young woman suffering from thyroid cancer.

The procedure, known as Endoscopic Thyroidectomy (Remote Access Thyroidectomy), was carried out without any incision on the neck. Instead, laparoscopic instruments were inserted through the patient’s armpit and chest, allowing the thyroid gland to be removed through a small hidden incision.

Dr. Caleb Harris, Additional Professor of Surgical Oncology, who led the procedure, said that half of the patient’s thyroid gland was removed as it contained a cancerous tumour. He added that the patient recovered quickly and was discharged the very next day.

Highlighting the importance of the procedure, Dr. Suvamoy Chakraborty, Medical Superintendent, NEIGRIHMS, said that with improved survival rates in thyroid cancer, the focus has shifted to ensuring a better quality of life. “A surgery without a visible scar on the neck encourages more young people to come forward for treatment,” he noted.

NEIGRIHMS Director, Dr. Nalin Mehta, congratulated the surgical team and revealed that the institute is in the process of acquiring a surgical robot to facilitate more such complex procedures with enhanced safety.

Dr. Nari Lyngdoh, Head of the Department of Anaesthesiology, emphasised that advanced procedures like this demand specialised anaesthesia techniques. He assured that the department is fully equipped to provide the necessary support for such high-end surgical interventions.