Agartala (Tripura) June 26: In yet another laudable medical achievement in Tripura, doctors at GB Hospital have successfully performed the state’s first complex esophageal surgery.
This successful surgery has offerred a new lease on life to a young man who had severely damaged his esophagus and was agonizingly suffering.
The intricate seven-hour procedure, akin to an organ transplant, involved replacing the damaged esophagus with a section of the patient’s own colon.
The critical surgery was conducted on Prasenjit Das, a 23-year-old from Kaiyadepa in Madhupur under the Sepahijala district of Tripura.
Das had ingested acid used in rubber processing, in March of last year after a domestic dispute. The corrosive substance left his esophagus severely burned and completely blocked, making it impossible for him to consume food or water for over a year and a half.
A multidisciplinary team of specialists from GB Hospital’s Gastro Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS), and Anesthesiology departments collaborated on the challenging operation.
Even as doctors performed surgery on June 5 last, the success report was revealed before media on June 26 after the patient’s condition became stable.
“This was the first surgery of its kind performed in Tripura,” said the medical team during a press conference held today at Agartala Government Medical College.
A challenging Case and Innovative Solution
Prasenjit Das was admitted to GBP Hospital on June 3, after years of struggling with his condition. Earlier attempts at treatment, including multiple esophageal dilatation procedures. However those provided him only temporary relief, eventually failing to allow even liquid intake. A feeding tube had been surgically inserted into his intestine to provide essential nutrition.
Gastroenterologists Dr. Mrinal Debbarma and Dr. Subhadeep Pal initially diagnosed the severe esophageal stricture. The case was then referred to Dr. Dipankar Shankar Mitra of the Gastro Surgery Department, who, in consultation with cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Kanak Narayan Bhattacharya, devised a plan for an esophageal bypass surgery.
The innovative approach involved surgically removing a segment of the patient’s colon and grafting it inside his chest to replace the non-functional esophagus.
Collaborative Excellence and Financial Relief
The joint surgical team, led by Dr. Mitra and Dr. Bhattacharya, meticulously planned and executed the complex colon-to-esophagus transplant on June 5 in the CTVS operation theatre.
The surgical team included Dr. Kishore, Dr. Kiran, and Dr. Abhinav, with anesthesiologists Dr. Manimoy Debbarma and Dr. Surajit Pal providing crucial support.
The dedicated OT staff, including physician assistant Sudipta Mandal, OT assistants Jaydeep Chakraborty and Ratan Mandal, and OT nurses Saurabh Shil, Mausumi Debnath, and Anna Bahadur Jamatia, played a vital role in the success of the procedure.
A key challenge in this type of surgery is to ensure the preservation of blood flow to the transplanted colon segment and its safe rerouting through the chest, in front of the heart, and into the throat. The team successfully navigated these complexities, ensuring the graft remained functional and began to act like a normal esophagus.
A significant relief for the patient’s family was that the entire treatment was covered under the Ayushman Bharat health scheme, eliminating any financial burden.
Such a complex surgery would typically cost between Rs 7-8 lakh in private hospitals outside the state.
Road to Recovery and Future Hope
Prasenjit Das is currently stable and showing positive signs of recovery, having already begun consuming small quantities of liquid food. A barium CT scan is scheduled to assess the new esophageal structure before his anticipated discharge.
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The successful completion of this pioneering surgery marks another significant milestone for GB Hospital and the entire medical fraternity in Tripura.
“This achievement brings immense joy to the patient’s family and elevates the medical capabilities within our state,” said Dr. Shankar Chakraborty, Medical Superintendent of GB Hospital, who was present at the press conference along with Deputy Superintendent Dr. Abhijit Sarkar, CTVS Department Head Dr. Kanak Narayan Bhattacharya, Gastroenterologist Dr. Mrinal Debbarma, and Dr. Dipankar Shankar Mitra, among others.
This landmark surgery underscores Tripura’s growing medical expertise and its commitment to providing advanced healthcare services to its citizens.
