Gandhi Hospital performs rare, complex tracheal surgery on 24-year-old patient

A 24-year-old man with a dangerously narrowed airway was treated at Gandhi Hospital using a complex tracheal resection and anastomosis procedure. The surgery, normally costing Rs 10–15 lakh privately, was performed free by a skilled multidisciplinary team

Hyderabad: Senior cardiothoracic surgeons and a multidisciplinary team from Gandhi Hospital have successfully performed a complex and highly specialised airway procedure on a 24-year-old male patient who was admitted with a blocked trachea and severe breathing difficulties.

The patient, Vijay Kumar, was admitted with severe shortness of breath and difficulty in swallowing. His complications originated in August when he was admitted to a private hospital after consuming poison. He underwent a tracheostomy, a surgical procedure in which an opening is created in the neck to place a tube directly into the windpipe (trachea), to maintain breathing.

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After discharge, he developed complications that led to severe narrowing of the airway that restricted his breathing. Superintendent, Gandhi Hospital, Dr S Vani said the surgery is very expensive, complex and costs anywhere between Rs 10 to Rs 15 lakh in private hospitals.

Dr G Ravindra, Head, Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery (CTVS), who led the team of surgeons, said such surgeries are highly complex and involves removing the compromised segment and the healthy ends of the trachea are meticulously sutured back.

“The procedure, Tracheal Resection and Primary Anastomosis, is considered a gold standard for treating tracheal narrowing. We conducted the procedure free of cost,” Dr Ravindra said.