Life-saving surgery of an 8-year-old using chest wall reconstruction technique performed at AIIMS Bhopal

 

 

In a landmark achievement, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal, recently performed a complex and life-saving surgery on an 8-year-old child suffering from rib cancer. Despite chemotherapy, the child’s condition was worsening, and the cancer in the ribs continued to spread. Then, the medical team decided to proceed with surgery, successfully saving the child’s life using a novel chest wall reconstruction technique. Notably, this unique procedure, being applied to paediatric chest wall reconstruction for the first time globally, has been recognised and published in the prestigious Journal of Indian Association of Paediatric Surgeons. The technique involved using tissue from the child’s thigh (tensor fascia lata) to reconstruct the chest wall after removing the tumour, ensuring a successful outcome. As per information, the multidisciplinary team from AIIMS Bhopal included the Paediatric Surgery Department, which performed the tumour excision, and the Plastic Surgery Department, which carried out the chest wall reconstruction using the child’s own tissue.

 

The Anaesthesia Department played a critical role in ensuring the child’s safety throughout the operation. The child, who had been on a ventilator before surgery due to the severity of the condition, was successfully taken off ventilator support just 12 hours post-surgery. Remarkably, the child was discharged from the hospital six days later. Professor (Dr) Ajai Singh praised the efforts of the team, emphasising that this achievement showcases the institution’s commitment to innovative surgical solutions and highlights the hospital’s expertise in handling complex paediatric cases. “This surgery is a testament to our doctors’ dedication to pushing the boundaries of medical innovation. We are proud of this breakthrough and the impact it will have on paediatric surgery world-wide,” said Dr Singh. The surgical team comprised Dr Riaz Ahmed, Additional Professor, Paediatric Surgery; Dr Suresh K, Assistant Professor, Paediatric Surgery, Dr Gaurav Chaturvedi, Associate Professor, Plastic Surgery, and Dr Sunaina Tejpal Karn, Additional Professor, Anaesthesia. The successful outcome of this surgery led to the application of the same technique in another similar case, with both patients now in good health one year later.