The baby from Nabadwip in Nadia district recently underwent a successful laparoscopic pyeloplasty—a minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery to correct a severe kidney blockage
Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: File pic
In an inspiring medical miracle, doctors in Kolkata have saved a five-month-old baby boy from irreversible kidney damage with a unique surgery.
The baby from Nabadwip in Nadia district recently underwent a successful laparoscopic pyeloplasty—a minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery to correct a severe kidney blockage at Manipal Hospital in Mukundapur.
The delicate procedure, performed by Dr Subhasis Saha, who is the consultant paediatric surgeon at the hospital, involved treating congenital hydronephrosis, a condition where the kidney becomes abnormally swollen due to urine buildup caused by an obstruction.
Pyeloplasty is a surgical procedure that removes this blockage at the junction where the kidney connects to the ureter, allowing urine to flow freely and preventing further kidney damage.
The baby had been diagnosed with this condition during a prenatal scan. Such advanced procedures in infants remain rare across the country, making this case a significant milestone. The situation had caused a 20 per cent impairment in the functioning of his kidneys after five months of his birth.
The child's mother, a homemaker, and father, a car driver, had been visiting different hospitals repeatedly but were told to wait until their son grew up, to perform the operation.
It was only after nephrologist Dr Lalit Kumar Agarwal referred the case to Dr Saha, that the case made headway. The laparoscopic pyeloplasty was done on July 29 with only one 5mm and two 3mm cuts. The baby recovered well post-surgery and was discharged within 48 hours without any incision on the abdomen.
Dr Saha explained, "Several kidney dilatations found in prenatal ultrasounds correct by themselves. But some are genuine obstructions that, if not treated, can seriously hamper kidney function. In the case of the child, there was definite blockage at the junction between the kidney and the ureter. Though adult laparoscopic pyeloplasty is prevalent now, infant laparoscopic pyeloplasty is done very infrequently, particularly in children younger than one year of age. While these procedures are routinely performed in other parts of the country, they remain relatively rare in Eastern India. However, we have been doing this successfully for years. In fact, since 2021, only in our hospital, we have had seven infants laparoscopic pyeloplasties and approximately 70 laparoscopic pyeloplasties in children aged 1–16 years since 2013. The benefits are evident less pain, quick recovery, no visible marks, and most importantly, timely kidney function preservation.”
The child's father said, “We had been running from one hospital to another for months, and were even told a kidney transplant might be needed. When we came to Manipal Hospital and met Dr. Subhasis Saha, he explained everything clearly and reassured us. He said a small keyhole surgery could save my baby’s kidney. The operation went well, and my son is now recovering. I wish we had come here earlier. I am truly thankful to the doctor and the entire team at Manipal for giving my child a new life.”
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