University Malaya Medical Centre inks deal to make Uniportal VATS more affordable for lung cancer patients 

August 24, 2019

(Right) Dr Diego Gonzalez Rivas and Dr Sivakumar Krishnasamy performing Uniportal VATS surgery.

In an effort to make lung cancer treatment more affordable, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) and Dr Diego Gonzales Rivas – the pioneer in Uniportal Video Assisted Thoracoscope Surgery (VATS). 

Dr Diego - the creator of the procedure performed his first case in 2010. Since then, he has introduced it to more than 104 countries. 

“The benefits of Uniportal VATS is tremendous to the patients in terms of pain and early recovery,” he said during the 1st Uniportal Masterclass that was attended by most of the cardiothoracic surgeons in Malaysia.  

The collaboration enables UMMC to conduct the Masterclass annually while endorsing it as a Uniportal VATS Training Centre.

Course Director, Dr Sivakumar Krishnasamy, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon from UMMC said that this procedure gives the patient the advantage to get back home early and experience less pain with only a single 3cm incision. Dr Sivakumar is also the first recipient in the world of the prestigious Francis Fontan Award given by the European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery for Uniportal VATS. He recently returned to Malaysia after completing this fellowship from Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital.

"Most of the major lung and thoracic surgery procedures can be done via Uniportal and we want to educate and share our experience with other cardiothoracic surgeons in the country," he added.  

Professor Dr Tunku Kamarul Tunku Zainol Abidin the Hospital Director emphasised that the collaboration and close ties with Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital would place the university as a premier centre for lung cancer treatment. 

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