A 46-year old man, who was bedridden for the last two years, due to a 14 kg mass hanging from his thigh, has been relieved of the suffering with doctors here removing it in a surgery. The man, Saidalavi, hailing from Thrissur district, was suffering from lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) for some three decades and underwent a couple of surgeries over the years, but to no avail, as the swelling kept increasing.

He underwent a five-hour surgery at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences here recently following which the deformity was removed. "It was a complex surgery. Several complications could rise because of the patient being overweight and his inability to walk," said Dr Subramania Iyer, head, Plastic &
Reconstructive Surgery, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences.

Among the problems the doctors faced was the patient's physical transfer to the operating table and correct positioning during surgery as it required meticulous planning. The patient will need further reduction surgery on both the legs after 6-9 months, and then he will be able to lead a normal life, Iyer said.

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