Life-Saving Breakthrough: Suchirayu Hospital Performs Hubballi’s First Liver Transplant
Hubballi, EXPRESS News: HCG Suchirayu Hospital has reached a significant milestone by successfully performing its first-ever liver transplant. The surgery was carried out on a 50-year-old male patient suffering from decompensated liver disease caused by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This makes HCG Suchirayu the first hospital in the twin cities to achieve this feat.
With this success, Hubballi has become the second city in North Karnataka and the fifth in the state to perform a liver transplant, positioning the hospital as a leader in advanced medical care in the region.
The Surgery and Patient’s Journey
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Dr. Basant Mahadevappa, a liver transplant surgeon from HCG Cancer Hospital in Bengaluru, shared details of the surgery. The patient, Ravi (name changed), had been battling end-stage liver disease due to decompensated cirrhosis caused by NAFLD, along with diabetes and hypertension. Under the care of Dr. Sandeep Kumbar at HCG Suchirayu for 14 months, his condition worsened despite extensive medical intervention, leading to a recommendation for a liver transplant as a life-saving measure.
Four months prior to the surgery, Ravi registered for a transplant at HCG Suchirayu and was undergoing curative treatment. Due to the lengthy waiting list, he considered transferring his registration to Bengaluru. However, on August 15, a cadaver donor—a 28-year-old—became available, and Ravi was next in line to receive the liver through the Jeevansarthakathe organ transplant board.
Dr. Mahadevappa and his team arrived in Hubballi on the night of August 15, and the surgery commenced at 3 a.m. The 10-hour marathon operation concluded the next day at 1 p.m. The procedure was completed successfully without complications, and the patient was transferred to the ICU for recovery. After a month of post-operative care, Ravi was discharged on September 9.
Advancing Medical Infrastructure in Hubballi
Dr. Sandeep Kumbar, consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist at HCG Suchirayu, emphasized the significance of this achievement for both the hospital and the wider medical community in Hubballi. He noted that the successful transplant underscores the growing capabilities of the medical infrastructure at HCG Suchirayu, further positioning the hospital as a center of excellence for advanced treatments.
Preventing NAFLD and the Importance of Early Detection
In addition to celebrating the success of the surgery, Dr. Kumbar, Dr. Mahadevappa, and Dr. Sanjeev Chatni highlighted the importance of preventive measures for conditions like NAFLD. They stressed that diabetic patients are at a higher risk of developing NAFLD and should undergo an annual ultrasound or fibroscan to check for liver swelling. Early intervention, especially during stage 2, can reverse the condition with proper lifestyle modifications, a strict diet, and minimal medication.
A Collaborative Success
The complex surgery was led by a team of skilled doctors, including Dr. Sandeep Kumbar, Dr. Basant Mahadevappa, transplant surgeon Dr. Rohit M, transplant anesthetist Dr. Sunil, gasteroenterologist, hepatologist Dr. Sanjeev Chatni, surgeons Dr. Jayaprabhu Uttur, Dr. Vinay Sajjan, and anesthetist Dr. Sagar Kolli. Their combined expertise and dedication were instrumental in this medical breakthrough for the region.
