Apollo Institute of Colorectal Surgery conducts International Colorectal Surgery Symposium
~ The centre hosts the 4 th edition of this annual symposium with global experts as faculty ~
~ Apollo Hospitals Chennai builds on the strong collaboration with Cleveland Clinic Florida and University College London Hospitals in the field of colorectal surgery
~ The Apollo Institute of Colorectal Surgery at Chennai is one of the busiest colorectal programmes in the country
Chennai, 2 nd September 2022: The Institute of Colorectal Surgery at Apollo Hospitals in
Chennai in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic Florida, USA & University College London, UK to
conduct the 4 th edition of Apollo International Colorectal Surgery Symposium 2022 in Chennai
between 2 nd to 4 th September 2022. The conference will be a platform for specialists from around
the globe to share their expertise in the diagnosis and management of Colorectal diseases.
The Institute of Colorectal Surgery at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai is collaborating with Cleveland Clinic
Florida, USA & University College London, UK to create a platform for creating awareness, teaching,
training & accreditation in the management of Colorectal Diseases. This will be a multidisciplinary
symposium providing the participants a 360 degree view on the management and surgical
techniques used for treatment of colorectal diseases. The aim of this collaborative effort is to
standardise care pathways, train and accredit surgeons involved in the care of patients with
colorectal diseases. This collaboration will conduct annual colorectal events focusing on different
aspects of colorectal surgery/disease with main focus on emerging and new technologies for
colorectal surgery.
The Institute of Colorectal Surgery at Apollo Hospitals Chennai is one of the busiest colorectal
units in the country. With more than 1200 colorectal procedures done every year with major focus
on management of colon & rectal cancer. The unit offers end to end Colorectal services from
treatment of haemorrhoids/piles to complex colorectal cancer. The institute routinely offer the most
advanced laparoscopy and robotic surgery all under one roof. Apollo Institute of Colorectal
Surgery, India’s Premier Dedicated Centre for Colorectal Disease Management has
successfully completed more than 500 robotic colorectal surgeries over six years.
The three day symposium will feature the "Ivy League" of Surgeons and Physicians (Dr Venkatesh
Munikrishnan India, Prof Steven Wexner USA, Prof M Berho USA, Prof Antonio Lacy Spain & Prof
Manish Chand UK) involved in Colorectal Disease Management from around the world as well as
national faculty. This annual event will culminate with the annual Colorectal Awareness dinner on
Sunday 4 th of September 2022. We are honoured to have Prof Antonio Lacy deliver the Fourth
Apollo Prof N Rangabashyam Memorial Lecture. As you all know the late Prof Rangabashyam was a
doyen in the field of colorectal surgery and introduced several of the surgical techniques and
technology to India.
Ms. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “At
Apollo, we are bringing in innovation, research & education and cutting edge medical
technology, representing the next era of precision healthcare to treat colorectal diseases. In
2016, we started a specialised department for Colorectal Surgery and also simultaneously
started Robotic Colorectal Surgery. This has led to precision surgery that causes minimal
side-effects in patients. Over the last few years, there have been several advances in minimally
invasive techniques such as Robotic Colorectal Surgery, which has led to significant change in the
management of colorectal diseases, particularly for rectal cancer surgery.”
She added, “Being one of India’s first dedicated centres for management of diseases of the
colon, rectum and anus, the Institute offers Robotic & Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery for
Colorectal Cancer and cutting-edge treatments in Proctology and Pelvic Floor Diseases. The
Robotic Colorectal Surgery Programme is the busiest in the country with over 530 robotic
colorectal surgeries completed since its opening in 2016, of which 500+ have been
performed by Dr. Venkatesh Munikrishnan and his team, who holds the distinction of being
the highest volume robotic colorectal surgeon in the country. More recently we have added
the new Hugo robotic surgery system and performed the world’s first rectal cancer surgery
cases with this new system. “
Dr. Venkatesh Munikrishnan, Consultant Colorectal & Robotic Surgeon, Apollo
Hospitals, Chennai, highlighted the importance of sub-specialization in the field of
colorectal surgery “Sub-specialisation helps patient receive the best of care in the world
with excellent outcomes locally here in Chennai. It is important for people to be aware and
identify symptoms early so they can get appropriate care. There is an urgent need to create
awareness as symptoms of colorectal cancer and benign conditions such as haemorrhoids
are similar.”
Dr. Venkatesh Munikrishnan, also added, “With the use of Robotics for Colorectal
Surgery we are able to perform complex surgeries to remove the cancer and reconstruct
the colon to rectal / anal connection, thus avoiding a permanent colostomy for the patients.
The use of robotic surgery also has several short term benefits such as less blood loss,
quicker recovery, and better maintenance of normal bodily function.”
The high volume of robotic colorectal surgeries allows cost efficiency with the cost of
robotic colorectal surgery almost at par with standard keyhole surgery. This advancement
has also benefitted patients who present with other colorectal diseases particularly in the
treatment of rectal and pelvic disorders such as rectal cancer or rectal prolapse.
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About Apollo Hospitals:
It was in 1983, that Dr Prathap C Reddy made a pioneering endeavour by launching
India’s first corporate hospital – Apollo Hospitals in Chennai. Now, as Asia’s foremost
trusted integrated healthcare group, its presence includes over 12,000 beds across
72 Hospitals and 4100 pharmacies, over 120 Primary Care clinics and 650
Diagnostic centres, 700 plus Teleclinics, over 15 medical education centres and a
Research Foundation with a focus on global Clinical Trials. The most recent
investment was the commissioning of South East Asia’s very first Proton Therapy
Centre in Chennai.
Every four days, the Apollo Hospitals Group touches a million lives, in its mission to
bring healthcare of international standards within the reach of every individual. In a
rare honour, the Government of India had issued a commemorative stamp in
recognition of Apollo's contribution, the first for a healthcare organization. Apollo
Hospitals Chairman, Dr Prathap C Reddy, was conferred with the prestigious Padma
Vibhushan in 2010. For 38 years, the Apollo Hospitals Group has continuously
excelled and maintained leadership in medical innovation, world-class clinical
services and cutting-edge technology. Its hospitals are consistently ranked amongst
the best hospitals in the country for advanced medical services.
