Indian Express
29 November 2010
By Jalandhar
Punjab, India

Doctors At Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on Monday claimed they had saved the life of a 25year–old man by performing a critical gastro–intestinal surgery.

The patient, who weighs 167 kg, had reportedly received incorrect treatment for typhoid fever from private practitioners.

He was brought to PIMS with low blood pressure, jaundice and a malfunctioning kidney and was admitted to the hospital emergency with intestinal perforation (multiple holes). As a result of the perforation, his intestinal contents and waste had got spilled in the entire abdomen and infection had spread to the whole body via blood.

The patient’s kin said that they went to various private hospitals but no one was ready to take up his case due to his morbid obesity.

Surgery was conducted by a team of doctors headed by Dr Disha Syal, who said that after stabilising the patient, an emergency surgery was done by a gastro–surgeon.

Speaking about the complications, Dr Syal said, "Due to obesity and blood infection, the patient needed respiratory support, for which he was put on ventilator. He was discharged after 20 days in satisfactory condition owing to the nursing care of the ICU and a team of doctors.

The patient’s natural passage for motion will be restored after 4–6 months."

Dr Syal said, "Such cases involving high risk must be referred to institutions in time."

Chief Operating Officer, Rajshekhar K, said, "It is an achievement for the hospital to have saved a life in such a complex case. Our focus always remains on providing the best services in terms of doctors and nursing and also to instantly take care of all facilities the patient requires."