Duong Van Hung, a 63-year-old patient from Can Tho, presented to Vinmec Can Tho General Hospital with prolonged anemia of unknown cause. During examination and endoscopy, doctors discovered a bleeding tumor in his stomach. Biopsy results confirmed a malignant lesion.

According to Associate Professor, Doctor Pham Van Nang, Director of the Surgery Center at Vinmec Can Tho Hospital, without timely intervention, the tumor could spread, metastasize to distant sites, invade adjacent organs, and directly threaten the patient's life. Following consultation, the medical team decided on a partial endoscopic gastrectomy to remove the tumor, prevent its progression, and control the bleeding source.

The patient recovered well one week after surgery, concluding a treatment journey with results exceeding initial expectations. Photo: Vinmec Can Tho

The case presented a "dual problem": performing radical cancer surgery while ensuring maximum safety for a patient with multiple high-risk underlying conditions, including: hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, a history of myocardial infarction, and hemiplegia from a cerebral infarction. This patient group is particularly susceptible to cardiovascular events, recurrent strokes, and metabolic disorders throughout surgical and postoperative periods.

Facing this challenge, a strict and flexible inter-specialty coordination process was established. From the moment anesthesia began, the anesthesia and resuscitation team implemented continuous hemodynamic monitoring, closely controlled each vital sign, and proactively managed potential risks.

Simultaneously, the team performed endoscopic surgery following a "minimal invasion - maximum control" strategy. After exploring the entire abdominal cavity, doctors precisely identified the tumor's location and extent. They then resected the stomach segment containing the tumor, ensuring radical margins. Once the lesion was completely removed, the team performed a gastrointestinal anastomosis to restore digestive tract continuity.

Magnified endoscopic imaging guided the entire procedure, ensuring high precision, effective treatment, and minimal patient trauma.

Overcoming the dual challenge, the surgery was successful after three hours. Postoperative developments showed many positive signs: the patient regained consciousness early, the incision was dry, and pain levels were mild. Thanks to the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) model implemented at Vinmec Can Tho, the patient quickly regained strength and was discharged after one week, concluding a treatment journey with results exceeding initial expectations.

According to doctors, for patients with multiple underlying conditions, endoscopic surgery is a key option for better pain control and shorter recovery times. These factors are crucial in limiting complications and improving long-term quality of life after treatment.

Associate Professor, Doctor Pham Van Nang, Director of the Surgery Center at Vinmec Can Tho, led the medical team in this case. Although operational for just over one year, the center has mastered and routinely implemented many advanced surgical techniques, notably endoscopic surgery for digestive and oncological diseases, especially in high-risk patient groups.

Beyond surgical techniques, the Surgery Center adopts a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. Each complex case undergoes comprehensive evaluation with a multidisciplinary team of experts to plan an optimal, continuous treatment regimen for the patient.

The Surgery Center, Vinmec Can Tho Hospital, routinely implements many advanced techniques. Photo: Vinmec Can Tho

Associate Professor, Doctor Pham Van Nang stated that the Surgery Center's direction is to enhance surgical techniques while continuously improving comprehensive treatment processes. This includes meticulous planning before, during, and after treatment to achieve the highest outcomes, especially for elderly patients with multiple underlying conditions. Given the limited specialized facilities for severe cases in the Mekong Delta region, Vinmec Can Tho's development of local capabilities in endoscopic surgery, resuscitation, and complication management is significant. Patients can access modern techniques and reduce the burden of referrals to higher-level hospitals.

The stable treatment outcomes in complex cases help the Surgery Center, Vinmec Can Tho Hospital, contribute to improving healthcare quality for people in the Western region.

Nhat Le

For consultation and examination at Vinmec Can Tho General Hospital, readers can contact to schedule an appointment via the Vinmec website here or download the MyVinmec application.