In a private hospital, a 33-week pregnant woman with foetal distress was admitted and gave birth to a premature baby. However, the baby began to have breathing problems and was sent right away to Sakra World Hospital for additional diagnosis. At birth, the baby weighed a mere 2.18 kg.

The cause of the breathing difficulty was a massive abdominal oedema that was pressing against the lungs. After the baby was placed on ventilator support, an intra-abdominal tumour was discovered; however, it was unclear where it originated.

Dr. Anil Kumar Pura Lingegowda, HOD & Senior Consultant – Paediatric Surgery; Dr. Shruthi Reddy, Consultant Hepato-Biliary Pancreatic and Liver Transplant Surgeon; Dr Shishir Chandrashekhar, Director & HOD – Anaesthesia & OT Management; and, Dr. Shivakumar Sambargi, Senior Consultant- Pediatrics & Neonatology of Sakra World Hospital, Bengaluru, performed the surgery on the baby to remove the swelling because of its pressure effect on vital organs.

Equally difficult was the post-operative phase, which needed to be carefully managed to preserve homeostasis. The child was saved by the neonatology team’s remarkable care under Dr. Shivkumar Sambargi’s direction.

Liver surgeries are no longer intimidating compared to a few decades ago. Recent advancements in surgical technology and techniques have made it much safer to perform tumour resections or transplants on patients at extreme ages, such as an elderly person or a newborn baby. If an expert offers such surgeries, carers should remain open-minded. The doctors were able to save the baby’s life because of the parents’ faith in them.

Priyanka Dutta