Manipal Hospital: 10 surgeries – one sitting!

One of its kind Hip Replacement surgery

Patient with multiple flexion deformities walks again.

The Department of Orthopaedics, Manipal Hospital, Bangalore for the 1st time in India, performed 10 surgeries on a patient in the same sitting with minimal blood loss and achieving excellent results. The patient was stable throughout the intra-operative period and did not require post-operative ICU care. Patient recovered and took her first steps on the 2nd post-operative day. 

Mrs. Nagamma, 59 years old, with chronic crippling disabilities complained of pain in both her hips and knees since 15 years and was unable to walk or sit for the past 6 months. The pains were gradual in onset and progressed with time. It was associated with gradually progressive Flexion Deformity; i.e. Bent hips and knees. She was able to move at home with the aid of a walker for the past 2 years and since the last 6 months she was completely bedridden. She is a known case of chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Dr. R.D Chakravarty, HOD, Orthopaedic Department, Manipal Hospital who spearheaded the surgical team, giving some insights on the surgery said, “This is probably the first time in the world that we as a team performed 10 surgeries on a single patient thus giving her a new lease of life. The total blood loss during the surgery was 800 ml. She was transfused 2 Units of Whole Blood to make up this loss. She tolerated the procedure well and post operatively was shifted to the ward directly without any ICU care requirement as she was stable. There were no surgical complications in spite of the complexity considering 10 surgeries done at one single sitting and smooth post operative course was the testimonial to the patient walking in a few days.”

Dr. S.C. Nagendra Swamy, COO, Bangalore Region, Director Shared Strategic Services, Manipal Hospital noted, “ Keeping in mind that such an extensive surgery has never been attempted anywhere in the world before and also remembering the foreseeable risks associated with such an undertaking, we took care to perform a very thorough and meticulous preoperative planning. I applaud Manipal Hospital Orthopaedic team for competently performing such a delicate and rare surgery successfully and with such amazing results.”

Speaking to media persons Dr. H. Sudarshan Ballal, Medical Director, Manipal Hospital said, “In the West, surgeons rarely face these kinds of cases. Whereas in India, the patient tends to get neglected due to financial and social reasons and finally comes at the last stage with such gross deformities. Correcting such deformed joints involves great technical skill and straightening a deformed joint can result in neurovascular damage if done without proper expertise and equipment. We are indeed blessed to have a professionally competent team and the best facilities to be able to perform a surgery of this magnitude without a hitch.”