Doctors conduct successful surgery on 73-year-old patient

Bhubaneswar: Surgeons at SUM Ultimate Medicare (SUMUM) here have successfully conducted a challenging surgery on a 73-year-old woman suffering from a rare condition after she was turned away by other healthcare facilities who described the case as inoperable.

Ambika Patra, with a 15-year-old history of a swelling on her neck and suffering from sudden onset of neck pain and dizziness, had visited several hospitals where she did not receive the required treatment.

At SUMUM, Dr Somnath Prasad Jena, neuro surgeon, diagnosed her condition as Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) by conducting Digital Substraction Angiography (DSA). It was subsequently confirmed through an MRI done by radiologist Dr Golak Pasa.

Dr Unmesh Kumar Jena, plastic and cosmetic Surgeon in the hospital, also examined the case and a decision was taken to conduct the difficult surgery. Dr Jena, who has immense experience in microsurgery, successfully conducted the three-hour operation on Saturday.

It was a rare case and the occurrence is known to be one in a population of 100,000, he said.
It was a risky surgery as it could have caused catastrophic bleeding and death within minutes which explained why other hospitals did not want to take the risk.

Before the surgery, the patient’s attendants were explained about the risk involved and they also signed a high risk bond.

The disease process had entangled the superior thyroid artery and external jugular veins at a critical site with a big lesion which required to be removed. It turned out to be a bloodless surgery.

Post the surgery, the patient has been relieved of neck pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, numbness and tingling sensation. The patient has recovered well and is expected to be discharged from the hospital in a few days.