Woman delivers healthy baby after kidney transplant

KOLKATA: When SangitaDevi (name changed) underwent a kidney transplant, she never thought that her dream of becoming a mother would come true, what with the possibilities of life-threatening infections and organ rejection. Doctors at the Command Hospital (Eastern Command) in Kolkata didn't give up hope though. Recently,Sangita, a soldier's wife, delivered a healthy child at the hospital.

"It was a challenge. After a transplant, the possibility of conception goes down. She took a lot of medicines to prevent organ rejection and this could have adversely affected the health of the foetus. On the other hand, pregnancy could have led to problems in the transplanted kidney. This was a rare feat that may not have been possible but for the team of doctors comprising nephrologist Lt Col Manu Dogra, gynecologist Col B Goyal and pediatrician Col Thapar and administrative staff who ensured regular follow-ups and antenatal care," said Maj Gen BNBM Prasad, commandant of the hospital.

According to him, several difficult surgeries have been performed at the hospital in recent times. One of these was on a retired soldier who suffered from severe headaches that couldn't be cured with medicines. He had also suffered a few blackouts. He was admitted as an emergency case in the hospital and diagnosed with aneurysm. An artery in his brain was ballooned out, weak and dilated. It could rupture causing catastrophic brain hemorrhage any time.

"This aneurysm was at an unusual location in the base of the brain and already showed signs of impending rupture. There were minor blood leaks in the brain and the time-bomb was ticking, threatening to blow away his life at any moment. Urgent surgery to clip the aneurysm was the only option but this was associated with significant risk. The aneurysm was deep inside the brain and surrounded by vital structures. Surgical approach was dangerous but endovascular intervention by passing wire and catheter was an extremely expensive option and not readily available," Prasad said.

A team led by consultant neurologist Brig Sudrembekar and senior anesthesiologist Col C S Ahluwalia finally performed the risky surgery and was successful. They treated the aneurysm and recovery was total without any neurological deficit. According to officials in the Eastern Command, the hospital is providing yeomen service in providing medical assistance to serving and retired armed forces personnel and their family members.