HYDERABAD: A tumour blocking almost 95 per cent of the windpipe of a 38-year-old woman was successfully removed by a team of doctors at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences on Monday.
The tumour, located at the end of the windpipe at a point where it branches into the lungs, made it difficult for the patient to even lie down.
For the past six months, the patient had to sleep in a sitting position, by being propped up against pillows. Even leaning by 45 degrees made her gasp for breath.
The patient from Anantapur was admitted to Nims after a CT scan. It was a challenging surgery as the patient could not be given general anesthesia as she was unable to lie down.
The whole surgery had to be done with the patient sitting upright, which required local anesthesia.
Dr Amaresh Rao Malempati, cardio thoracic surgeon, said, “We had to use an innovative approach with local anaesthesia administered in the groin. The surgery was done like a bypass surgery.
Blood was diverted from the heart and lungs to the heart and lung machine so that there was no oxygen during the surgery. The tumour was then removed, but as it occupied 95 per cent of the windpipe, there was wear and tear.”
After the surgery, the patient was able to lie down and has been able to breathe freely.
Professor R. Gipanth, Dr Padmaja, perfusion technologist, Dr Nagesh Basavari, Dr B. Mahesh from R.C. Misra were the doctors who were involved in the surgery.
Dr Basavari said, “We have cleaned the whole area occupied by the tumour. Such cases are very rare.”
