KGMU Doctors Achieve Breakthrough with Rare Non-Surgical Technique for Cancer Patient
In a remarkable medical achievement, doctors at King George's Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow have successfully restored the ability to eat and drink in a cancer patient using an exceptionally rare, non-surgical method. This innovative approach was employed after the patient's advanced disease completely blocked her food passage, leaving her unable to consume anything without vomiting.
Patient's Critical Condition and the Challenge Faced
The patient, a 56-year-old woman from Para, was suffering from advanced gallbladder cancer that had aggressively spread to her stomach and liver. As a result of this progression, she could not eat solid food or even drink water without experiencing severe vomiting episodes. This led to significant weakness, malnutrition, and a drastic decline in her overall quality of life, putting her in a very serious medical state.
Dr Sumit Rungta, the head of the gastro medicine department at KGMU, emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that the patient's condition was extremely critical and required immediate intervention to alleviate her suffering.
The Innovative Procedure: Transhepatic Assisted Peroral Duodenal Stenting
The medical team, comprising Dr Saurabh, Dr Siddharth, Dr Nitin, and Dr Surya under the expert guidance of Dr Anit Parihar, decided to attempt a highly unconventional technique known as transhepatic assisted peroral duodenal stenting. This decision was made because the traditional method of placing a stent through the mouth was rendered impossible due to the complete closure of the route from the mouth to the stomach.
Dr Saurabh from the radiology department explained that in standard cases, doctors typically insert a small tube or stent orally to open such blockages. However, given the unique challenges presented by this patient, the team had to devise an alternative strategy.
Step-by-Step Execution of the Rare Method
The procedure was meticulously carried out without making any surgical incisions, which is a key advantage in reducing recovery time and minimizing risks. The team followed a precise sequence of steps:
- Using ultrasound guidance, a thin wire was carefully passed into the patient's liver.
- From the liver, the wire was then skillfully guided into the digestive system to navigate around the blockage.
- Simultaneously, another wire was passed through the patient's mouth in an attempt to reach the affected area.
- The two wires were successfully joined together inside the body and then pulled out, creating a pathway.
- This allowed the doctors to place a stent in the blocked part of the stomach, effectively reopening the food passage.
The entire process required exceptional precision and expertise, showcasing the advanced capabilities of the KGMU medical team.
Successful Outcome and Implications for Future Care
Following the procedure, the patient's food passage was successfully reopened, enabling her to eat and drink normally once again. This has led to a significant improvement in her nutritional status, strength, and overall quality of life. Dr Sumit Rungta highlighted that while this method does not cure the underlying cancer, it plays a crucial role in palliative care by greatly reducing the patient's suffering and enhancing her daily living experience.
This case underscores the importance of innovative medical techniques in managing complex cancer-related complications. It also sets a precedent for similar challenging scenarios where traditional treatments are not feasible, offering hope to other patients facing similar obstacles.
The successful implementation of transhepatic assisted peroral duodenal stenting at KGMU Lucknow marks a significant milestone in non-surgical interventions, demonstrating how medical ingenuity can transform patient outcomes even in the most difficult circumstances.
