A remarkable medical breakthrough took place at Wockhardt Hospital, Mira Road, where a team led by Dr Imran Shaikh successfully performed the world’s first removal of an 8.5 kg spleen from a 37-year-old patient. The massive spleen, measuring 3 feet by 1.5 feet, was causing severe abdominal pain, tightness, and fatigue for Rajkumar Tiwari, a resident of Bhayandar.
Tiwari’s struggle with massive splenomegaly and hypersplenism began 17 years ago when he was just 18. Despite numerous consultations and evaluations, his condition remained undiagnosed, leading to debilitating symptoms that significantly impacted his quality of life. The patient experienced abdominal tightness, obstruction, vomiting, and cytopenia due to the enlarged spleen, making daily activities impossible.
Referred to Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road by his family physician, Tiwari found relief in the expertise of Dr Imran Shaikh, Consultant GI & HPB Surgeon. Dr. Shaikh noted, “The patient arrived weak, tired, and jaundiced, suffering severely for over a year. A CT scan confirmed the diagnosis of massive splenomegaly, and surgery was urgently needed.”
Massive splenomegaly, a rare disorder where the spleen grows larger than 20 cm and weighs over 1 kg, leads to low levels of haemoglobin, white blood cells, and platelets. This condition increases the risk of infections and spontaneous bleeding. Tiwari’s haemoglobin was critically low at 5 mg per cent, with platelet count at 1000 and WBC at 1200.
The surgery was complex due to the spleen’s adherence to the intestines, pancreas, diaphragm, and stomach. To mitigate risks, the team performed abdominal angiography and embolisation of the splenic artery to block blood supply to the spleen, followed by transfusion of blood products. The successful removal of the 8.5 kg spleen required six hours of meticulous surgery.
Post-surgery, Tiwari experienced a swift recovery and was discharged on the fifth day with improved health parameters: haemoglobin at 9.6, platelet count at 800,000, and WBC at 12,000.
Dr Pankaj Dhamija, Centre Head at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, commented, “This success story exemplifies our commitment to excellence and specialised medical care. Our coordinated efforts and advanced technology have set a new benchmark in healthcare.”
Expressing his gratitude, Tiwari said, “After 17 years, I finally feel free from the pain and limitations of my condition. Thanks to Dr. Imran Shaikh and his team, I can now embrace life’s opportunities without physical constraints.”
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