BELAGAVI
According to the hospital, Malleshi Hallappannavar from Jamkhandi in Vijaypura-Karnataka, was brought to Department of Cardiac Surgery at the hospital with progressive symptoms of breathlessness, intractable cough and sleeplessness. On evaluation with X-Ray chest and CT scan chest he was found to have giant tumor in the chest cavity.
“The tumor was apparently compressing over the heart and its vessels also and it had occupied the entire left chest cavity,” Chief Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon at the KLES Dr Prabhakar Kore Hospital Dr Richard Saldanha told The Goan.
“After observing the general condition of the patient, which was deteriorating rapidly, he was taken for urgent surgery during the early hours of April 15. We had to perform a marathon surgery lasting four hours, after which the giant tumour weighing about four kilos (30x20 cms in size) was removed from the chest cavity,” said Dr Saldanha, adding that this was a unique case in his medical career.
Divulging further details, Dr Saldanha said the tumor was adhered to the pericardium, neck vessels and the left lung.
“There was risk of injuring these structures, but the tumor was excised without injury to the adjacent organs. This condition is called as ‘Malignant Thymoma’ and can continue to grow upto 20-30 years since birth, before it manifests its symptoms,” he said.
The team of surgeons that successfully carried out the surgery consisted of Dr Mohan D Gan, Dr Ravi Ghatnatti, Dr Anand Vagarali and Dr Sharan Patil. The hospital management and Medical Director Dr M V Jali have congratulated the team and lauded their efforts on this rare surgery.
Dr Ravi Ghatnatti, who teamed up with Dr Saldanha, said before the surgery, the patient’s heart was displaced, one lung was compressed and the tumour would block his windpipe when he was asleep.
Hollappannavar, who was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday, said he had to spend sleepless nights and had almost lost hope.
“However, now I can lead a normal life and I can also look for a job,” said a jubilant Hollappannavar.
His mother, who was profusely grateful to Dr Sadalnha and team, added: He has saved the life of my only son, he is like God to us.”
