Life-saving six-hour surgery gives new breath of life at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital

A critically ill patient suffering from severe breathing difficulty was given a new lease of life following a complex six-hour emergency surgery performed by a multidisciplinary team at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital.
The patient was rushed to the hospital in a life-threatening condition, struggling to breathe even at rest and dependent continuously on oxygen support. Detailed investigations revealed a massive tumour compressing the trachea from both sides, while simultaneously blocking the bronchial tube, placing the patient in imminent danger.
Recognising the gravity of the situation and the impossibility of delay, the hospital’s specialist doctors immediately stabilised the patient and prepared for a highly challenging surgery. Given the severity of the respiratory obstruction, the procedure was meticulously planned with utmost caution.
The initial phase of treatment was managed by pulmonologist Dr Arun Gangadhar, whose timely interventions ensured the patient was safely prepared for surgery. The main operation was led by senior cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon Dr Ramprasad, supported by an experienced surgical team. The tumour’s complex location, pressing on both sides of the trachea and tightly adherent to the spine, significantly increased the risk.
Senior neurosurgeon Dr Vikram Muthusubramanian joined the team to carefully separate the tumour from the spinal cord without causing nerve damage. Anaesthesiology experts ensured continuous monitoring before, during and after surgery, while doctors Narendra Menon, Manikandan and Ashok Hariharan closely supervised the patient’s recovery.
Following the surgery, the patient showed remarkable improvement and is now breathing normally without oxygen support, marking a rare example of coordinated medical excellence saving a life against formidable odds.