PANAJI
Manipal Hospital Goa has successfully performed the State’s first bronchoscopic balloon dilatation (BBD), a minimally invasive procedure that uses a balloon catheter for dilatation of a stenosed airway, marking a significant milestone in interventional pulmonology. The procedure was conducted on a 22-year-old female patient who had been suffering from chronic cough and breathlessness for the past two years.
A CT scan of the chest revealed near-complete obstruction (stenosis) of the left main bronchus and collapse of the left lung as a sequela of tuberculous infection. To address this condition, Controlled Radial Expansion (CRE) balloon bronchoscopic dilatation was performed under sedation, which restored airflow, re-expanded the left lung, and improved the patient’s breathing. The procedure began on 16 December 2024 and involved four sessions of dilatation, conducted once a week.
The CRE Pulmonary Balloon Dilatation Catheter, used in this procedure, is specifically designed for endoscopic dilatation of airway strictures. This technique serves as an excellent initial alternative to other treatment options such as surgical resection, stent placement, cryotherapy, and laser therapy. The medical team, led by Dr John Muchahary, Consultant, Pulmonary Medicine, Manipal Hospital Goa, and assisted by Dr Yogesh Gaude, Consultant Anaesthesiologist, Manipal Hospital Goa, successfully carried out the procedure.
The patient is now asymptomatic and has resumed normal daily activities. This achievement reinforces Manipal Hospital Goa’s dedication to delivering world-class healthcare and advancing medical treatments in the region.
