Mumbai: Complicated Surgical Success at VN Desai Hospital Saves Woman with Rare Organ Structure
Mumbai, 28th December 2023: In a remarkable display of surgical expertise, the medical team at Vishnuprasad Nandarai Desai (VN Desai) Municipal General Hospital, operated by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), successfully conducted a rare and complex surgery, ultimately saving the life of a woman with a unique anatomical condition.
The 35-year-old obese woman was admitted to VN Desai Municipal General Hospital in Santacruz East, complaining of severe abdominal pain. A routine medical examination revealed inflammation of the gallbladder and numerous gallstones. However, what made this case extraordinary was the diagnosis of ‘situs inversus totalis,’ a rare congenital condition where the body’s organs are arranged opposite to the normal human anatomy.
In this woman’s case, all her abdominal organs were on the left side, including the heart on the right side, the liver on the left instead of the right, and notably, the gallbladder on the left. Recognizing the complexity and risks associated with operating on a patient with ‘situs inversus totalis,’ coupled with the challenges posed by obesity and fragile lung conditions, the medical team, under the guidance of Chief Medical Superintendent Dr Vidya Thakur, took on the task of performing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a procedure to remove the inflamed gallbladder.
Head of Surgery Department Dr Sudhir Dixit and his colleagues, Dr Ritu Nandanikar, Dr Rahul Maheshwari, and Anesthesiologist Dr Kiran, demonstrated remarkable skill during the surgery. The woman underwent eight days of careful medical supervision, showing satisfactory improvement. Following this period, she was discharged and had her stitches removed after seven days.
The Chief Medical Superintendent Dr Vidya Thakur emphasized the rarity of this condition, occurring in only 0.01% of cases. Dr. Sudhir Dixit acknowledged the critical nature of the woman’s condition, emphasizing the successful collaboration of the medical team in navigating the complexities of the surgery.
