Rare Hybrid Heart Surgery Saves 4-Year-Old Girl in Mumbai

Incredible pediatric reconstruction has just worked a miracle on a four-and-a-half-year-old from Kandivali, Mumbai, and now she has a whole new future ahead of her. Born in 2021, an outstanding heart surgery was performed on little Saanvi, who was diagnosed with a significant hole in her heart, called a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), just a couple of days after birth. The defect resulted in her difficulties in breathing, feeding, and, most importantly, growing as the other children do at this age.

Early Troubles and a Temporary Fix

At 10 days old, Saanvi's parents, Akash and Mamta Maurya, noticed her breathing differently. A pediatric examination matched by a 2D Echo confirmed the worst fears congenital heart defect. Given her complexity, it was too severe, and hence, Saanvi was considered too weak to undergo open-heart surgery.

At just 3 and a half months, the doctors at Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children performed the temporary pulmonary artery (PA) banding surgery to reduce the pressure rhythm in the heart while helping her to gain mass and strength.

Childhood Put on Hold

While the temporary solution allowed her to hold on, the early days of Saanvi were not normal by any means; everyday activities would tire her out. Constant supervision and extra visits to the doctor, coupled with medication, were the usual happenings. Seeing their daughter deprived of the innocence associated with early childhood was devastating for the couple.

Hybrid Heart Surgery: A Safer, Faster Alternative

By the age of four and a half, Saanvi was fit enough to be considered for a permanent solution. Traditional surgery via open heart is a long-duration surgery, taking 7 to 8 hours and having very high risks, so doctors recommend hybrid surgery that utilizes a combination of minimally invasive catheter techniques and surgery.

By advanced imaging, a device was inserted through the chest to close the VSD before proceeding to a conventional operation for the enlargement of the pulmonary artery. The whole procedure was performed in about 2.5-3 hours - a fantastic reduction in recovery time and physical trauma.

One in a Million Success Story in Pediatric Cardiology

Dr. Biswa Panda, Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon, said, “Periventricular VSD closures like this occur in only about one in a lakh open-heart surgeries. VSD closures themselves are uncommon in children, and performing them through a hybrid approach is even rarer. Such a complex hybrid surgery typically happens only once every 4 to 5 years. Such a procedure is only possible when there is perfect coordination between skilled teams, modern infrastructure, and precise imaging technologies.”

Saanvi had her surgery completed in the last week of March 2014 and was already on the second day of April discharged from the hospital. The doctors indicated she is now right on her developmental milestones, feeding well, and developing strength.

Restored Hope in the Family

Saanvi's father expressed deep gratitude:

Even the CEO of Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital, Dr. Minnie Bodhanwala, appreciated the capabilities of the hospital:

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal Arshad/MSM)