Kolkata Daily Wage Earner Undergoes Pioneering Bone Transplant Surgery
In a significant medical breakthrough for eastern India, a 31-year-old daily wage laborer from Kolkata has undergone a rare and complex osteochondral allograft procedure at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. This marks the first time such a sophisticated bone and cartilage transplant has been performed in the eastern region of the country.
Patient's Three-Year Struggle with Severe Injury
The patient, Rijauddin Mondal, a resident of Bira in North 24 Parganas, sustained a devastating open distal femur fracture when he was struck by a truck in May 2023. Over the subsequent years, Mondal endured four successive surgeries in an attempt to salvage his limb and restore function. These included a patellar graft procedure in July 2024, which utilized tissue from his own body.
Despite these extensive efforts, the previous surgeries were unable to fully address the severe bone defect, leaving doctors with limited options. The medical team faced a critical decision: either proceed with an orthopedic implant to reconstruct the damaged area or consider amputation of the limb.
Innovative Surgical Solution to Preserve the Knee
Given the patient's relatively young age of 31, the orthopedic department, led by Dr. Sanjay Kumar, opted for a more conservative approach. They decided to attempt reconstruction of the distal femur using an osteochondral allograft—a procedure that involves transplanting a piece of bone and cartilage from a deceased donor.
"We were determined to conserve his knee through reconstruction rather than resorting to amputation," explained Dr. Sanjay Kumar, head of the orthopaedic department. "After careful consideration, we proposed the allograft procedure and successfully secured the necessary administrative approval and funding."
Logistical Challenges and Surgical Execution
One of the primary hurdles was sourcing the allograft material. Since fresh cadaver allografts are not yet available in West Bengal, the medical team had to look elsewhere. They sent detailed CT scans and 3D model images of Mondal's requirements to a specialized firm in Hyderabad that deals in allografts.
The hospital administration sanctioned approximately Rs 2.4 lakh for the procedure. Prior to surgery, the allograft underwent specific treatments to enhance compatibility with the recipient's body and minimize the risk of rejection.
The actual surgery was conducted on a Tuesday under spinal anesthesia by a dedicated team including Dr. Sunit Hazra, Dr. Sumanta Pal, and Dr. Debojyoti. They performed the allograft fixation with precision, aiming to restore the patient's gait and mobility.
A Landmark Achievement in Regional Healthcare
"This required extensive research and assessment to confirm that an osteochondral allograft was the optimal solution," noted Dr. Sunit Hazra. "We are pleased to report that the patient is recovering well post-surgery."
Dr. Saptarshi Chatterjee, a forensic medicine specialist and MSVP at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, emphasized the historical significance of this operation. "To the best of our knowledge, this is the inaugural procedure of its kind in eastern India, setting a new benchmark for complex orthopedic treatments in the region," he stated.
The successful execution of this osteochondral allograft not only offers hope to Rijauddin Mondal for regaining his normal gait but also paves the way for similar advanced medical interventions in eastern India, potentially benefiting countless patients with severe bone injuries in the future.
