Tripura Achieves Major Milestone in Advanced Gastroenterology with Successful Removal of Complex Bile Duct Stone Using Double Balloon Enteroscopy-Assisted Cholangioscopy
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, July 6, 2026
In what is being described as a landmark achievement for advanced gastrointestinal healthcare in Tripura and possibly one of the first such procedures in India, Unity Gastro & Liver Hospital has successfully removed a highly complex common bile duct (CBD) stone using Double Balloon Enteroscopy-assisted Cholangioscopy in a patient who had previously undergone a Whipple (Pancreaticoduodenectomy) surgery.
The breakthrough procedure was performed last Saturday by the hospital's endoscopy team under the leadership of renowned interventional gastroenterologists Dr. Sreekanth Appaswamy from KIMS Hospital, Hyderabad, and Dr. Amitabh Roy.
The patient had developed an obstructing bile duct stone following Whipple surgery, causing a rapid rise in bilirubin levels and leading to a serious clinical condition. Due to the altered anatomy after the major pancreatic surgery, conventional Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was not feasible, making the case exceptionally challenging.
Faced with this complexity, the medical team successfully employed the highly specialized Double Balloon Enteroscopy-assisted ERCP technique combined with Cholangioscopy, enabling direct visualization of the bile duct and precise removal of the impacted stone. Following the intervention, the patient's condition improved significantly and recovery has been progressing well.
Dr. Sreekanth Appaswamy, a highly experienced interventional gastroenterologist, travelled from Hyderabad to participate in the advanced endoscopy workshop and perform the procedure. His expertise in managing complex disorders of the bile duct, pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract through cutting-edge minimally invasive endoscopic techniques has brought world-class therapeutic capabilities to Tripura.
Hospital authorities stated that advanced endoscopic procedures for pancreatic tumours, rare pancreatic disorders, and complex biliary diseases are now being performed in the state using sophisticated minimally invasive technologies, reducing the need for patients to travel outside Tripura for specialized treatment.
Medical experts believe this achievement marks a significant milestone in the development of advanced endoscopic and interventional gastroenterology services in Tripura. The successful procedure demonstrates that patients suffering from complex gastrointestinal and Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) diseases can now access internationally comparable treatment within the state.
Reaffirming its commitment to healthcare excellence, Unity Gastro & Liver Hospital stated that it will continue to invest in state-of-the-art technology, expert medical professionals, and patient-centric care to bring advanced gastroenterology services closer to the people of Tripura.
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