Prof. Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Chalkoo is so widely respected across Jammu and Kashmir. Beyond his compassionate bedside manner, he is a highly accomplished medical innovator and a leading figure in minimal access surgery.
Here is a closer look at his professional profile and the achievements that define his career:
1. Medical Background and Current Role
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Position: Professor of Surgery at Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, and senior surgeon at SMHS Hospital.
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Specialization: Laparoscopic, Gastrointestinal (GI), and Bariatric Surgery.
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Education: Completed his MBBS from GMC Srinagar and postgraduation (MS) from the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), followed by advanced fellowships in minimal access surgery (FMAS, FIAGES).
2. Groundbreaking Medical Innovations
Dr. Chalkoo is recognized both nationally and internationally for creating proprietary techniques and instruments designed to make surgeries safer and less invasive:
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The Chalkoo Retractor: In 2021, the Government of India awarded him a national patent for this innovative instrument used in mini-laparoscopic gallbladder removals (cholecystectomy). It allows complex surgeries to be performed through a tiny 2 cm incision by expanding internally to give the surgeon a clear 6 cm view, minimizing patient scarring and recovery time.
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The “Chalkoo Technique” & Modifications: He has pioneered several specialized surgical concepts, including “The Chalkoo Stitch,” which are documented and studied by global surgical communities.
3. Record-Breaking Milestone (2025)
In January 2025, Dr. Chalkoo led a surgical team at GMC Srinagar to achieve a major medical milestone by completing a highly complex laparoscopic Whipple’s surgery (typically performed for pancreatic or peri-ampullary tumors) in a record time of 2 hours and 55 minutes. Globally, this intricate procedure usually takes 6 to 7 hours in top-tier medical centers. This feat significantly reduced the time patients spend under anesthesia and highlighted the world-class surgical finesse present in Kashmir.
4. Academic and Literary Contributions
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Research: He has published over 65 scientific papers in reputable national and international surgical journals and serves on the editorial boards of over a dozen international publications.
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Multifaceted Personality: Alongside mentoring postgraduate medical scholars, Dr. Chalkoo is known to be an avid researcher, an eloquent orator, and a passionate poet, blending a love for literature with his clinical precision.
This exclusive video interview provides a closer look at Dr. Chalkoo’s professional perspectives and insights as a senior laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon at GMC Srinagar.