New Delhi, April 3: The Director of ABVIMS and Dr. RML Hospital, Dr. Ashok Kumar, has praised the cardiac surgery team’s outstanding achievement. Led by Dr. Narendra Singh Jhajharia, the team successfully performed a complex cardiac repair surgery on a 31-year-old woman.
Despite the challenging medical condition known as ‘situs inversus’, where the organs are mirrored, the doctors executed the surgery through a minimally invasive cosmetic incision.
In this unique case, the patient’s organs were positioned in reverse; her heart was on the right, liver on the left, spleen on the right, and stomach also on the right side. Additionally, she had a congenital heart defect known as partial atrioventricular canal defect.
During the surgery, the medical team exercised extreme caution to successfully treat the heart defect. The intricate procedure was completed through a tiny 4-centimeter ‘inframammary’ incision. A cardiopulmonary bypass machine was utilized to maintain heart function during the operation. A patch was crafted from the patient’s own pericardium and meticulously placed with fine sutures to avoid damage to the heart valves and conduction system. The patient’s recovery was smooth, and she is now fit to leave the hospital, with echocardiography confirming the surgery’s success.
The surgery presented several challenges, the most significant being the proximity of the congenital heart defect to the valves and sensitive conduction system. Additionally, the mirrored position of the blood vessels complicated the procedure. Handling instruments and placing fine sutures through a 4-centimeter incision was technically demanding. The patient required bypass through the heart-lung machine, showcasing the team’s expertise and experience.
The cardiac surgery department is equipped with specialized doctors, essential tools, and monitoring machines, ensuring the safety of such complex surgeries. Dr. Jaswinder Kaur Kohli and her team expertly managed anesthesia and patient monitoring, while perfusionist Jagdish Chandra and his team maintained blood circulation during the bypass.
Situs inversus is rare, and having it alongside partial atrioventricular canal defect is even more uncommon. Typically, such surgeries require cutting through the sternum, but in this case, it was performed through small cosmetic incisions, making it a world-first surgery. The patient, Rambai, and her family expressed heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Narendra Singh Jhajharia and the entire team.
The surgery was conducted on March 30, 2026, and was covered under the Prime Minister’s Health Scheme (PMJAY – Ayushman Bharat). Dr. Ashok Kumar described it as a proud moment for the institution and congratulated all team members, including surgeons, anesthetists, perfusionists, nursing staff, technicians, and support staff.
The cardiac surgery department at ABVIMS has previously gained recognition, having performed the first cardiac transplant at a central government hospital in August 2022. The department treats all types of heart diseases in newborns, children, and adults, providing excellent cardiac care.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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