 Early Times Report
JAMMU, July 14: The Department of Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery at Government Medical College Jammu achieved another milestone today by successfully repairing a large hole in the heart of a 7-year-old female child using a minimal access surgical technique on a beating heart. The surgery was performed through a small incision (5.5 cm) in the right axilla (armpit) area of the chest wall, sparing the muscles and avoiding the right breast tissue. This innovative technique allows for repairing the heart defect without stopping the heart's beating rhythm. Chief surgeon, Dr. Shyam Singh, highlighted that only a few cardiothoracic centers perform such hole repairs on a beating heart.
The delicate operation required precision and the utmost alertness from each member of the surgical team, including anesthetists, perfusionists, and scrub nurses. The patient was extubated soon after the operation as she regained full consciousness and her heart rate, blood pressure, and vital parameters returned to normal.
This technique provides excellent cosmetic results as the scar is hidden by the arm, and the area of the right breast tissue remains undisturbed. Additionally, the patient experiences a shorter hospital stay and requires less blood and painkiller medications compared to the conventional procedure, which involves splitting the breastbone (sternum) and stopping the heart using drugs. The patient was able to mobilize the same day as the surgery.
The new surgical technique utilized the same set of equipment and instruments as the conventional procedure, without incurring any additional costs. All expenses for consumables and medications were covered under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme.
The 7-year-old patient had been experiencing growth failure for her age, palpitations, and recurrent chest infections. Her heart chambers were enlarged, and excess blood flow was entering the lungs due to a hole between the two upper chambers of the heart. The pediatric department of the hospital referred her for surgical intervention.
The surgical team consisted of Dr. Shyam Singh, Dr. I.A Mir, Dr. Taruna, and Dr. Baba Simran Singh. Dr. Vivek Gandotra and Dr. Prabhdeep Singh also provided assistance during the procedure.
Cardiac anesthesia was skillfully conducted by Professor and Head Dr. Puja Vimesh (Principal GMC Doda), Dr. Vikas Gupta, Dr. Amarpreet, Dr. Jehangir, Dr. Bhavna, and Dr. Beenish, with support from senior cardiac anesthesia technologists Vikas Sharma, Arif, Abhiranjan Kotwal, and Karan Singh.
Senior perfusionists Chananjit Singh and Roshan Lal operated the vital heart-lung machine. The dedicated scrub sisters in the operation theatre, including Rigzen Angmo, Sapna, Balvir Kour, Renu Nathyal, and Sonia, assisted by Sunil and Susheel, under the leadership of Operation Theatre Incharge Vaishali and senior technologist Shri Girdhari Singh, contributed to the successful procedure.
The intraoperative and perioperative care in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at SSH was diligently managed by alert ICU sisters Urmila, Nighat, Rajinder Kour, Pooja Sharma, Vandana, Shivalika, Sunita, Shivani, Neetu, Sayeeda, Sonakshi, Nayeem, and Zirayat, under the supervision of ICU Sister Incharge, Asma, and Shiv Karan Singh.
Professor Dr. Shashi Sudhan, Principal of the Medical College Jammu, visited the patient and extended her congratulations and appreciation to the entire team for their efforts. She emphasized the importance of utilizing these facilities available under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, which has been successfully implemented at GMC & AH, Jammu, to benefit the people in need. |
