KOCHI:
This is a second birth for three-year-old Haidan. The little boy has successfully recovered from the pulmonary blastoma, a rarest of rare type lung-related cancer found in children. The fact that only 204 cases have been reported world wide underscores the rare nature of the disease.
Mohammed Haidan is the eldest son of Udaif and Jubina. Udaif is a native of Kadalundi in Kozhikode and is working with Coca Cola Company in UAE. Around a month ago, Haidan who was healthy and smart suddenly developed difficulty to breathe and became physically weak very soon. The deadly disease was diagnosed in tests conducted at a hospital in the UAE. Doctors informed parents about the disease and said there was no hope of survival for the boy.
The parents then contacted cancer specialist Dr. V P Gangadharan and the boy was brought to Lakeshore Hospital from UAE. The boy’s condition was so critical that the airline even refused to issue the boarding pass at first. By the time Haidan was admitted at Lakeshore Hospital, the tumor had occupied 100 percent on the right side and 70 percent on the left side of the lungs.
As Haidan’s condition worsen day- by day, Dr. Gangadharan suggested immediate surgery for him. He then contacted Dr. Nassar Yusuf, one of the leading cardiothoracic surgeons in the country itself, and briefed about the condition of the boy. By this time, the count of calcium in blood had doubled. Since the lungs were in a shrunken state, Haidan was out on the ventilator and performing surgery was a challenging task.
As the surgery was a complex one, it was essential to ensure the service of experts for surgery and post surgery care. An effort to ensure the expertise of pediatrician Dr. T V Ravi, Anesthetists Dr. Mathew Varghese, Dr. Deepak R Nair, Nephrologists Dr. Jithin S Kumar of Ernakulam Medical Centre, it was decided to perform the surgery at Ernakulam Medical Centre. The team of doctors led by Dr. Nasser removed the deadly tumor requiring surgery that lasted for seven hours. Tumor was friable on touch and broke into pieces during dissection making the surgery much more difficult. There was profuse bleeding and one and half times his blood volume was transfused. Immediately after the tumor was removed 100 percent shrunken left lung and 70 percent shrunken right lung regained their normal size.
It was the first time surgery of this kind was performed in Kerala. ”The surgery was heart stopping ” said, Dr. Nassar Yusuf. Dr. Nassar has received applauds from international medical organizations, including the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons, for successfully performing this surgery. Haidan was discharged healthy from the hospital after two weeks. Haidan’s post- surgery treatment will be under the supervision of Dr. V P Gangadharan.
A new chapter in the medical history of Kerala
When two leading hospitals in the city joined hands together, it scripted a new chapter in the medical history of Kerala. VPS Lakeshore Hospital and Ernakulam Medical Centre joined hands to perform the surgery on a three -year old boy who was suffering from Pulmonary blastoma, a rarest of rare type lung-related cancer found in children.
The rare surgery was performed by a team of doctors led by Dr. Nasser Yusuf, Cardiothoracic surgeon at Ernakulam Medical Centre. Dr. Nasser one of the leading cardiothoracic surgeons in the country itself, has the history of successfully performing surgeries on five- day old to 105-year old. Mohammed Haidan is the eldest son of Ubaid and Jubeena. Ubaid is native of Kadalundi in Kozhikode and is working with Coca Cola Company in UAE.
What makes the success of surgery significant is the fact that this disease is rarest of rare that only 204 cases have been reported worldwide so far. A literature search revealed that it was for the first time ever, surgery for such a large 1.3 kg tumor of the chest in a child weighing 10 kg was performed. ‘’Guidance and encouragement by renowned cancer specialist Dr. V P Gangadharan instilled confidence in pediatrician Dr. T V Ravi and Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Nasser Yusuf of Ernakulam Medical Centre to take up the challenge to remove the deadly tumor that crushed the lungs the boy.
Boy’s age and health condition were the biggest challenges before the team of doctors. The Boy’s condition had so worsened that his weight came down from 17 kg to just 10 kg at the time of surgery. Bringing the boy from UAE to Kochi was a huge task. Though the airline refused to carry, they agreed following the pressure. ‘‘Encouragement and support by Dr. Gangadharan made it possible,’’ Dr. Nasser Yusuf said.
The boy was first brought to VPS Lakeshore where he was constantly monitored by a team of doctors. He was later shifted to Ernakulam Medical Centre on the ventilator following a special type of dialysis (CRRT) for performing the surgery. ” We were so relieved and our hopes of Haidan’s survival multiplied when we brought him to Dr. Gangadharan,” said boy’s father Ubaid.
The decision to take the challenge by two hospitals to perform the rare surgery has brought happiness in the life of a young couple- Udaif and Jubeena. Haidan who was discharged two weeks after the surgery started living a healthy life with his younger sister.
