MARGAO: The Royal Hospital in Margao achieved a remarkable medical feat as Dr Sanjay Khope, the senior neonatal surgeon, led a skilled team of doctors in performing a life-saving operation on a delicate premature infant. The newborn, weighing only 500 grams, was born with a near-fatal birth defect involving the heart, lung, and respiratory diaphragm.
The baby was one of twins delivered prematurely due to obstetric issues in a major hospital, and were transferred to the Royal Hospital due to the unavailability of ventilators. Although the defect wasn’t diagnosed before birth, it was detected immediately afterward, and both babies were put on ventilators due to prematurity. The baby with the birth defect had extremely high-risk factors and would not have survived without immediate surgery, according to a senior surgeon at the hospital.
“The operation was challenging. Normally, operating on a baby weighing 500 grams would be deemed impossible. However, I made the final decision and underwent the surgery. I am glad it was successful,” said Dr Sanjay Khope.
The heart was located on the right side, and all abdominal contents were in the chest; the baby had breathing trouble due to the absence of the left half of the diaphragm. This condition is considered near-fatal, even with advanced medical technologies, and taking the risk of operating on such a tiny infant was tremendous.
Dr Khope, a renowned paediatric surgeon, took the risk and, with his team comprising Paediatric Anaesthetist Dr Neena Faldesai and Neonatologist Dr Kamlesh Kepker, successfully performed the operation. The baby is now in special care on a ventilator, alongside the twin sibling, at the neonatal intensive care facility, addressing prematurity-related issues until they are deemed safe.
