We meet Dr.Yuvaraj, General Surgeon, who completed his MBBS in Chengalpet Medical College, followed by MS in Madras Medical College. He is qualified as a general surgeon from Royal College of Surgery, Edinburgh. He pursued his Diploma in Laparoscopic Surgery from University Strasbourg.

As the term suggests, you should be performing surgery pertaining to colon and rectum of the digestive system. Please indicate the common troubles of colon?

The major problem encountered in this part of the digestive system is the Colitis as well as Colorecatal cancer.

Is the incidence of colorectal cancer high? What is the reason for the same?

The incidence of colorectal cancer has increased in this decade. It was originally a problem of the west. The westernization of our life style has resulted in our consuming high fat, fibreless food. The alcohol intake and smoking are also responsible for the rise in incidence of cancer.

What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?

Blood in stools, Anemia are some of the symptoms for the colorectal cancer. But we get the patients mostly in the advanced stage as the symptoms are mistaken for piles or patients neglect anaemia. So, of late, the patients with blood in stools are asked to undergo an endoscopy or colonoscopy to rule out the same. Thus enabling the treatment to commence in an early stage.

You are the recipient of the Award instituted by the GEM Foundation. Please tell us more about it.

The Gem Foundation has instituted this award to encourage the young surgeons innovate in areas of minimal invasive surgery.

How many surgeons compete or participate?

This year around 300 surgeons participated from all parts of Tamilnadu.

What are the qualifying rounds for obtaining this award ?

The participating surgeon sends an Abstract on his work. This is followed by a presentation during the state surgeons meet, followed by interaction and interview. It was held at Kanyakumari this year.

What was your subject?

My presentation was on laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer.

What does the award carry?

The award carries a certificate and a medal.

What is that you wish to share with our readers?

In my observation, most surgeons only remove the appendix by laparoscopic technique, but are reluctant to perform a laparoscopic surgery for the other problems like colorectal cancer, for instance. They quote complication as the reason for choosing open type of surgery. But many randomised trials suggest that, recovery is fast,low incidence of complication long term outcome in open and laparoscopic surgery are comparable or almost the same.

The learning curve for the laparoscopic procedure is a little steep. But if mastered, is a boon to the patients.

In my knowledge, though this technique is in practice for more than twenty years,only about 10% of the laparoscopic surgeons venture into using this technique beyond appendectomy and gall bladder removal.

Indeed it is true that a thing will seem difficult till you learn or master it; including driving a car or cooking a dish. Let this not be a set back for trying our hand at something new whatever it may be. We wish Dr. Yuvaraj well, and many more laurels in future.