AIIMS Patna Achieves Milestone with First Pediatric Keyhole Tumor Removal
In a significant medical breakthrough, doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Patna have successfully performed the institute's first pediatric thoracoscopic surgery to remove a rare chest tumor from a three-year-old girl. This pioneering procedure, conducted in early March, utilized minimally invasive keyhole techniques, sparing the young patient a major chest incision and dramatically reducing pain, scarring, and recovery time.
Delicate Procedure on Rare Benign Tumor
The tumor, identified as a ganglioneuroma measuring 7 x 6 x 5 cm, is a rare benign growth originating from nerve tissue that can develop within the chest cavity. Traditionally, such tumors require open thoracotomy—a major surgical intervention involving a large incision and rib spreading, which often leads to considerable postoperative pain, visible scarring, and extended recovery periods.
The pediatric surgery team at AIIMS Patna opted for an innovative thoracoscopic approach to minimize surgical trauma and enhance the child's recovery. Through three tiny 5-mm incisions, surgeons inserted a miniature camera and specialized instruments to meticulously excise the entire tumor, eliminating the necessity for a large chest opening. This complex and delicate operation took approximately five hours to complete.
Expert Team and Advanced Anesthesia Techniques
The surgery was executed by a skilled multidisciplinary team led by Dr Amit Kumar Sinha, Dr Saurav Srivastava, Dr Amit Kumar, Dr Rashi, Dr Digamber Chaubey, and Dr Gaurav Shadilya. A critical component of the procedure's success was the pediatric anesthesia team, headed by Dr Chandni, which administered single-lung ventilation using an advanced bronchial blocker technique—a highly specialized method particularly challenging in very young children.
According to an official press release from AIIMS Patna, "The child recovered well after surgery and was extubated immediately in the operation theatre. She showed steady postoperative improvement and was later discharged in stable condition." The young patient is currently reported to be doing well, marking a positive outcome from this groundbreaking intervention.
Commitment to Advanced and Compassionate Healthcare
Prof (Brig) Dr Raju Agarwal, executive director of AIIMS Patna, emphasized that this achievement underscores the institute's dedication to providing advanced, safe, and compassionate healthcare. He highlighted the increasing adoption of minimally invasive techniques as a transformative trend in pediatric surgery, noting their role in reducing pain, shortening hospital stays, and accelerating recovery for young patients.
This successful case not only represents a technical milestone for AIIMS Patna but also sets a precedent for future pediatric surgical procedures, demonstrating the potential of minimally invasive methods to improve patient outcomes in complex medical scenarios.
