Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune, has successfully operated on a 37-year-old woman with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) with severe pulmonary hypertension, a rare lung disease.
- LAM is a rare, cystic lung disease that causes a gradual loss in lung function
- The disease primarily affects women of childbearing age, and lung transplantation remains an essential treatment option for women with advanced LAM.
- The patient has been released to go home, and her symptoms and all important parameters have stabilised.
Prajakta Dugan, a bank employee, residing on Sinhagad Road, would go to work with an oxygen cylinder strapped to her; over nearly 11 years, her lungs and heart both progressively failed. LAM predominantly affects young women, and transplantation is often the only way out.
Dr. Anurag Garg, Dr. Ashish Dolas, Dr. Ranjit Pawar, Dr. Prabhat Dutta, Dr. Vipul Sharma, and Dr. Sandeep Junghare under the leadership of Dr. Sandeep Attawar in a marathon 8-hour surgery in which Prajakta’s heart and lungs were replaced with the organs of a 27-year-old brain-dead woman whose family nobly donated all her organs after death.
This is the first time this surgery has been performed in the region and the first time in a medical college hospital.
“It gives me immense pleasure to declare this complicated surgery as successful. It is historic since we are the first in Pune. The simultaneous heart-lung transplant has established our institute as a leader in organ transplantation. At DPU, we are devoted to providing the finest possible treatment, with state-of-the-art facilities, and experienced doctors and staff, to all segments of society.”
Dr. P.D. Patil, Chancellor – Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune stated,
“India is seeing a marked public awakening with respect to organ donations after brain death. Public sector and medical college hospitals donate most. Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan are the new growth engines of India’s north and west. India is waking up to brain-death organ donation”.
Dr. Sandeep Attawar, Program Director and Chair, Institute of Heart & Lung Transplantation, KIMS, Hyderabad says,
The need of the hour is private, public partnership and technology transfer in this field.
A thrust in this direction has a multiplier effect as educational centers will be able to skill themselves, and affordable, cost-effective transplantations will become commonplace.
“Establishing a transplant program is always a major challenge. The team had to create protocols, ensure availability of all consumables, train ourselves and be ready in all aspects before admitting Prajakta. The 8-hour surgery required a heart-lung machine, an Intra-aortic balloon pump, Nitric oxide, and Bi-PAP support. The team has worked non-stop in the post-operative period to ensure the success of Prajakta’s treatment and rehabilitation.”
Dr. Anurag Garg, HOD Cardiac Surgery, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research center, said,
“Our primary task is to ensure Prajakta’s airways and lungs remain clear and infection-free during the critical post-operative period. Over the past three weeks, we have carried out seven bronchoscopies and monitored her 24X7 to ensure her full recovery”.
Dr. M.S. Barthwal, HOD Respiratory Medicine, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Says,
” The Intensive care team played the dual role of ensuring that the brain-dead donor’s organs were kept in pristine condition before transplant, as well as maintaining Prajakta physically and psychologically stable, till her discharge.”
Dr. Prachee Sathe, Director, Intensive care, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, adds,
