An 81-year-old retired REC commissioner from west Delhi's Punjabi Bagh, who had been confined to a wheelchair for four years, has regained his ability to walk after undergoing a rare simultaneous bilateral hip replacement. The high-risk procedure involved replacing both hip joints in a single surgery at Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurgaon.
Patient's Condition
The elderly patient suffered from advanced avascular necrosis (AVN) in both hips. This degenerative condition results from reduced blood supply to the bone, leading to progressive joint collapse, chronic pain, and near-total loss of movement. The patient's advanced age and co-morbidities made the surgery particularly challenging, with risks including blood clots, anesthesia-related complications, and even organ failure.
Medical Challenges and Evaluation
Dr. Debashish Chanda, senior director and unit head of orthopedics at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon, emphasized the complexity of the case. "Any organ could fail. We had to evaluate the patient comprehensively before surgery," he said. Detailed pre-operative screening revealed that the patient's cardiac fitness was strong enough to withstand the procedure. "Anesthetic support was very good too and played a crucial role in reducing operative risks. That was a key factor," Dr. Chanda added.
Surgical Approach
Given the patient's condition, doctors opted for a minimally invasive surgery with robotic assistance to replace both hips in a single sitting, lasting two to three hours, rather than performing separate surgeries. Dr. Chanda explained that simultaneous procedures avoided repeated hospitalization, duplicate surgical preparation, and prolonged rehabilitation. Robotic precision helped reduce tissue damage, improve accuracy, and shorten recovery time despite the complexity of the case.
Recovery and Outcomes
The patient stood up on the same day after surgery, began walking the following morning, and was discharged within two days. Simultaneous bilateral hip replacement is considered uncommon in octogenarians due to elevated age-related surgical and medical risks. Such procedures are often staged over multiple operations. Doctors noted that careful evaluation, a strong cardiac profile, anesthetic readiness, and robotic support were critical in making the surgery possible.
This case highlights the potential of advanced surgical techniques and comprehensive medical assessment in enabling successful outcomes for elderly patients with complex conditions.
