Mumbai: BMC’s KEM Hospital Performs Complex Surgery, Saves Boy from Liver Failure

Mumbai, 3rd April 2024: An 11-year-old boy, previously deemed to have little chance of survival due to liver failure and non-functioning kidneys, received a new lease on life through the efforts of King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Despite facing multiple health challenges, including epilepsy and deteriorating liver and kidney function, the medical team at KEM Hospital successfully performed a liver transplant surgery on the young patient, providing him with vital life support. Additionally, the boy underwent a pacemaker implantation procedure to address irregularities in his heartbeat.

Expressing their profound gratitude, the boy’s parents acknowledged the remarkable efforts of BMC officials, including Dr. Sudhakar Shinde, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs), and Dr. Sangeeta Rawat, Superintendent of Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and KEM Hospital, in facilitating their son’s treatment journey.

Hailing from Surat, Gujarat, the boy’s health deteriorated significantly, with his liver failing due to adverse reactions to medication prescribed for epilepsy. Following multiple consultations in Surat, a liver transplant emerged as the only viable treatment option, leading the parents to seek treatment at KEM Hospital.

Under the guidance of Dr. Akash Shukla, a gastroenterologist at KEM Hospital, the boy underwent a thorough medical evaluation, confirming the urgent need for a liver transplant. The complex procedure, led by Dr Chetan Kantharia and his team of medical experts, involved securing an organ donation from a 42-year-old patient at Apollo Hospital in Navi Mumbai. Through meticulous coordination and the use of a ‘Green Corridor,’ the donated liver was swiftly transported to KEM Hospital for transplantation.

The eight-hour surgery, conducted by an experienced team including anaesthetist Amala Kudalkar, Dr Prerna Shroff, and Dr Ravi Mohanka from Sir Harkisandas Narottamdas Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre, proved successful, marking a significant milestone in the boy’s treatment journey. Subsequently, 10 days post-transplant, cardiologist Dr Ajay Mahajan performed a pacemaker surgery to address the boy’s cardiac concerns.

Dr. Sangeeta Rawat lauded the medical team’s exceptional dedication and expertise in overcoming the numerous challenges associated with performing a liver transplant on a minor. Despite the inherent risks, the successful outcome of the surgery, followed by the pacemaker implantation, reflects a triumph of medical skill and underscores the hospital’s commitment to saving lives. The boy has since been discharged and is recuperating at home, marking a heartening conclusion to his remarkable recovery journey.