Gleneagles Health City Chennai, performs India’s first successful Paediatric Multi-organ Transplant for rare Liver Disorder
Gleneagles Health City (GGHC) in Chennai, India, has achieved a groundbreaking medical feat by successfully performing the country's first combined Living Donor Liver and Kidney Transplant on a 12-year-old boy suffering from a rare genetic Liver Disorder. This remarkable procedure, which marked only the second reported case worldwide, brings hope to countless patients facing similar challenges. Led by a team of expert doctors and supported by a multidisciplinary approach, the Transplant showcases the hospital's commitment to pioneering advancements in Paediatric Organ Transplantation.
Master Anish, a 12-year-old from Bangalore, was referred to GGHC with Renal Failure and diagnosed with Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 2 (PH-2), an uncommon genetic condition characterized by the accumulation of oxalate in various Organs. Given the Liver's central role in this disorder, a Combined Liver And Kidney Transplant was necessary for a potential cure. With limited reported cases globally and no instances in Asia, Anish's family sought a second opinion from GGHC's Liver Transplant team, ultimately choosing the hospital for treatment.
The pioneering Transplant was spearheaded by a team of dedicated doctors, including specialists in Hepatology, Paediatric Hepatology, Liver Transplantation, Hepatobiliary Surgery, Paediatric Intensive Care, Nephrology, and Renal Transplant. Driven by a lack of established studies for Paediatric cases, Dr Somashekara, a consultant Paediatric Hepatologist, expressed the challenge faced in treating Anish, highlighting the significance of this successful Multi-organ Transplant for patients worldwide.
Performing a Combined Live Donor Liver and Kidney Transplant required the coordination of over 20 Liver and Renal Transplant Surgeons. Dr Mettu Srinivas Reddy, Director of Liver Transplantation & Hepatobiliary Surgery, likened the procedure to a symphony orchestra, emphasizing the meticulous timing needed for the donor operations and the child's Double Transplant Surgery. This careful coordination minimized the out-of-body time for both the Donated Partial Liver and Kidney, ensuring the safe transplantation of both Organs.
The Renal Transplant team, led by Dr P. Muthukumar and Dr K. Muruganandham, worked diligently to prepare Anish for surgery. Given his dependency on Dialysis five times a week and the risk of Heart complications associated with elevated oxalate levels, Anish underwent high-intensity Dialysis therapy to optimize his condition. Timing Blood Transfusions during Dialysis was crucial to prevent fluid overload. Additionally, the intricate nature of Kidney Transplants in children required strategic placement of a full adult Kidney within the child's pelvis. Extensive multidisciplinary discussions and thorough testing ensured the safety of the Living Donor, Anish's mother, who selflessly contributed her Kidney.
Following the surgery, Dr Karnan, Head of Paediatric Intensive Care at GGHC, closely monitored Anish in the Liver Intensive Care Unit. Dialysis continued for three additional days to regulate oxalate levels, while both Transplanted Organs were vigilantly observed for signs of rejection. Remarkably, Anish was discharged from the hospital on the 16th day post-surgery, displaying excellent progress in his recovery. Both his mother, the Kidney Donor, and his aunt, who donated part of her Liver, made complete recoveries and were discharged within a week after surgery.
Dr Alok Khullar, CEO of Gleneagles Health City, Chennai, commended the determination of the donors and their extended family in their endeavour to save Anish's life. Their unwavering resolve served as a motivating force for the entire GGHC team. The success of the surgery, achieved despite various obstacles, stands as a testament to the hospital's multidisciplinary approach and technical expertise.
Gleneagles Health City's historic achievement in performing India's first successful Paediatric Combined Liver and Kidney Transplant for a rare genetic Liver Disorder exemplifies the hospital's commitment to pushing the boundaries of medical innovation. This landmark procedure not only offers a lifeline to young patients like Anish but also provides hope for individuals across the globe facing similar medical challenges. As GGHC continues to pave the way in advanced Organ Transplantation, the future looks brighter for countless children in need of life-saving procedures.
