Shimla, Oct 3,
In a remarkable medical achievement, doctors at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) Shimla have successfully performed a rare and highly complex surgery on a two-day-old newborn diagnosed with Esophageal Atresia with Tracheoesophageal Fistula (EA/TEF) — a life-threatening congenital condition.
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The baby, weighing 2.4 kg, was born at Kamla Nehru Hospital (KNH), Shimla. Soon after birth, the infant showed unusual symptoms, including excessive salivation, and an orogastric tube could not be inserted. The child was immediately referred to IGMC, where a pediatric team led by Dr. Praveen Bhardwaj admitted the infant to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for urgent intervention.
On the second day of life, pediatric surgeons reconstructed the infant’s esophagus and corrected the abnormal passage that had developed between the windpipe and the food pipe. The surgery was performed by a team of specialists including Dr. Raj Kumar, Dr. Kamal Kant Sharma, Dr. Manjeet, Dr. Ram Lok, Dr. Naveen Thakur, Dr. R.K. Negi, and Dr. Pradeep.
The anesthesia team, headed by Dr. S. Sodhi with colleagues Dr. Dara Singh Negi, Dr. Kartik, Dr. Radhika, Dr. Mehak, Dr. Srishti, and Dr. Shivani, played a crucial role in ensuring the infant’s airway and life support during the operation, using advanced techniques like a flexible video bronchoscope. OT assistant Kameshwar and nurses Sapna and Deepika provided critical intraoperative support.
Post-surgery, the newborn was closely monitored by nursing staff under the supervision of Ward Sister Rita. Continuous care ensured steady recovery, and the baby has now been discharged in stable condition.
Calling it a “life-saving breakthrough,” Dr. Raj Kumar, Head of Pediatric Surgery at IGMC, said the successful procedure demonstrated the institution’s ability to handle highly complex neonatal cases. IGMC Medical Superintendent Dr. Rahul Rao added that the case reflected the institute’s advancing expertise in pediatric surgery and its commitment to saving infant lives in Himachal Pradesh.
