Adding yet another feather to its cap, the Cardiology department of Sri Ramakrishna Hospital becomes first in the state to perform a 'Mitral Valve replacement' surgery on a 13-year old female patient. This is the first instance that a mitral valve replacement surgery is performed in the State of Tamil Nadu, under paediatric category, revealed the Management team of Sri Ramakrishna Hospitals.
A 13-year-old, school-going girl was referred to Sri Ramakrishna Hospitals after she complained of breathlessness, while playing at her school grounds. Dr. Nandakumar of Sri Ramakrishna Hospitals, Cardiology department put her through an ECG and Echocardiogram and diagnosed a severe leak in her mitral valve on the left side of the heart along with enlargement of the heart.
The doctors catalogue this kind of condition to be fatal if untreated. Due to poor financial constraints accompanied by the fear of a heart surgery, the patients of the patient were unable to give a go ahead for the surgery. Understanding their dilemma, the doctors escalated the issue to the Management who in turn opted to perform the surgery under the Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister's comprehensive Insurance Scheme.
The Team led by Dr Thiagarajamurthy along with Dr Vijay Sadasivam , Dr Krishnan Dr. Ashok Hariharan , Dr Menon , Dr Arun Kumar , Dr Sujith opetd to operate the patient through the Minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) procedure. Her Mitral Valve replacement was successfully replaced as it was beyond repair.
After 2-hours of surgery, the patient recovered well and was taken off the ventilator. On the fourth post-operative day, the patient was fit for discharge and hence, discharged.
MICS (minimally invasive cardiac surgery) is one of the latest techniques in heart surgery where the front of the chest is not cut open. Operation is done through a mini incision either through right or left of the chest.
'In our country where heart surgery is a big task to people with poor socio economic background, MICS is a good alternative . Patients can be discharged on 5th day to home as the it involves lesser time, money and scars' said the doctors.