SRM Global Hospitals Achieves India’s First Keyhole Surgery for Heart Cavity Lump

In a groundbreaking medical achievement, SRM Global Hospitals successfully treated a 50-year-old woman from Puducherry for a rare cyst inside the pericardium, the protective sac surrounding the heart. Using a minimally invasive keyhole surgery, the team removed a giant 8x8x5 cm mass that occupied the entire pericardial cavity, avoiding the need for intensive procedures that typically involve stopping the heart and lung functions.

According to a press statement, this pioneering procedure marks the first reported case in India and one of only about ten documented globally in medical literature. Thanks to the minimally invasive approach, the patient experienced a swift recovery and was discharged just four days after the surgery.

A Rare and Complex Case

The patient initially presented with persistent coughing and difficulty breathing. A local hospital’s scan revealed a large cyst pressing against her heart's left atrium. Further evaluations at SRM Global Hospitals, including a detailed CT scan, confirmed the cyst’s precarious proximity to major blood vessels, the pulmonary veins, and the left atrium.

Dr Sujith Velayudhan Indira, Senior Consultant in Cardiothoracic Surgery, led the medical team comprising Dr. Sreenath (Cardiac Anaesthetist), Dr. B. Nembian Raja Rajan (Assistant Consultant in Cardiothoracic Surgery), and Dr. Sindhu V. (Consultant in Pulmonology). Dr. Sujith elaborated on the procedure, saying, “We decided on a minimally invasive right-sided mini thoracotomy, making a small 6 cm incision. The cyst, measuring 8x8x5 cm, had wrapped around major blood vessels and extended to critical areas, including the pulmonary artery and the tip of the heart’s left atrial appendage. The complexity was greater than anticipated, but we managed to avoid using a heart-lung machine, ensuring a safer procedure.”

The surgical team employed a technique called marsupialization to treat the cyst. This involved opening the cyst, draining its contents, and stitching its edges to nearby tissue to prevent recurrence. The procedure eliminated the need for the high-risk step of temporarily halting heart and lung functions, which is common in conventional surgeries for such conditions.

Dr. P. Sathyanarayanan, President of SRM Group of Companies, praised the team’s efforts and emphasised the rarity of the case. “Cysts within the pericardial cavity are extremely uncommon, with very few documented cases worldwide. The successful use of minimally invasive techniques to treat this challenging condition sets a benchmark for advanced medical care. It exemplifies how innovation can deliver better outcomes, faster recovery, and a less taxing experience for patients.”