MT News Service
Jammu, March 26:
Doctors at Artemis Hospitals, Gurugram, performed a successful simultaneous liver-kidney transplant on Dilshada Begum,a 37-year-old female patient from Sopore, Kashmir, in a challenging surgery that lasted 16 hours.
The parents of the patient donated their own liver and kidney for their daughter who was suffering from primary hyperoxaluria, a rare genetic condition present at birth.
In this condition, the liver produces more quantities of a natural chemical called oxalate due to an enzyme defect, than what is required by the body.
The extra oxalate combines with calcium to create stones and crystals in the kidneys, which can damage them and cause them to stop working (renal failure). The patient remained unaware of her condition for years but had begun to suffer from frequent headaches and vomiting. What she didn’t know was that the gradual buildup of calcium deposits in her kidneys, a condition called nephron-calcinosis,had damaged their functioning severely. Doctors at a Srinagar hospital diagnosed the patient’s condition as end stage kidney disease and put her on dialysis. In a statement issued to mercury times, they recommended that she opt for a transplant and get a new liver (to prevent over-production of oxalate)and a new kidney (to replace the damaged ones).In the absence of a kidney transplant, she would need dialysis for the rest of her life. Her parents stepped in to help their child and readily agreed to donate their own organs for the purpose.
The patient arrived at Artemis Hospital in Gurugram where a team of doctors headed by Dr. Varun Mittal, Senior Consultant, Kidney Transplant and Dr. Giriraj Bora, Chief – Liver Transplant, successfully harvested both the organs from the parents and transplanted them simultaneously in the patient in a marathon surgery. Said Dr Giriraj Bora, Chief – Liver Transplant, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram: “Simultaneous transplant of liver and kidney together is one of the most complex and risky procedures in the medical field. The mortality rate of patients is much higher compared to single transplant. However, we managed to produce a successful outcome due to surgical expertise, post-operative care, and teamwork.” Said Dr. Varun Mittal, Senior Consultant, Kidney Transplant, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram:“I hail the patient’s parents, both elderly people, for their courageous act of organ donation and giving a new life to their daughter.
Even though the organs that the patient has received are from her parents, she would be on lifelong immuno-suppression, the doses of which will be decreased gradually over the years.” The patient, Dilshada Begum said,“I was suffering from continuous headaches and vomiting. It was initially difficult to find out what the problem was. After check-ups, I came to know about the disease I was suffering from. I am feeling much better after the surgery. It is truly a blessing. I cannot thank my parents and doctors of Artemis Hospital enough for giving me a new lease of life.” Sona Ullah Sheikh, the patient’s father (kidney donor, age 62) said,“The news of our daughter suffering from the rare disease and kidney failure hit us hard.
But we were willing to do anything to help our child. Fortunately, the surgery went well and all of us are now recovering fine. We are deeply thankful to the Artemis doctors for not only identifying the root cause of the disease that was making our daughter so sick, but also for successfully conducting the very challenging and risky combined liver-kidney transplant.” Added Dr. Manju Aggarwal, Chief – Medical Services & Chairperson – Nephrology, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram, who was part of the team that conducted the surgery: “Being diagnosed with kidney disease can be a big challenge for anyone. It restricts the ability to participate in daily activities as dialysis is required 2-3 times a week. Luckily, the patient is now doing well. Post the kidney transplant, she doesn’t need dialysis anymore.”
Dr. Shyam Sunder Mahansaria, Sr. Consultant – Liver Transplant & Gastrointestinal Surgery;Dr. Reshma Tiwari, Chief – Critical Care Unit and Dr. Rajesh Mishra, Chairperson – Anaesthesia at Artemis Hospital were also part of the surgical team that conducted the combined transplant on the patient.
