Rare surgery performed in Tripura's prime referral hospital

As Tripura Government is working with a special focus on improving the healthcare services, Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and GBP hospital, the prime referral health unit of the state, is gradually turning to be a place for strong medical support.

Even, surgery of rare cases like giant spinal cord tumour is now possible in the hospital which is a major relief for the people of Tripura.

The Neurosurgery Department of Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) has conducted a rare surgery of Lumbar Schwannoma, commonly known as a giant spinal cord tumour.

The neurosurgeon- Dr Sidda Reddy in a press conference on Thursday said he along with anesthetist Dr Debasish Das and the team of nurses and assistants conducted the successful surgery on September 17 last. In the operation, the giant spinal tumour-- 360 gm in weight and 13x11 cm in size-- was removed from the lumbar spinal cord of an 18-year-old female patient- Mousumi Barman, resident of Srinagar in Anandanagar of West Tripura district.

Earlier, the patient had consulted a doctor in Silchar where she was diagnosed with a giant spinal cord tumour known as 'Lumbar Schwannoma'.

She had complaints of low back pain and tingling sensation of Bilateral Lower limb along with difficulty in walking for one year.

In Silchar, the patient and her family were advised to consult Neurosurgeon in Delhi. They were informed that the approximate cost of the surgery would be Rs. 3 lakh excluding medicine cost.

But due to poor financial condition, they came back to Tripura and consulted the Neurosurgery department of AGMC.

Speaking to the media, the minister said, 2525 patients, availed treatment in Neurosurgery OPD of the GBP hospital from 2019 to September 25, this year. Among them, the successful surgery of 459 persons was conducted.

Finally, Dr. Reddy and his team conducted the rare surgery and brought smiles to the patient and her family.

In the press conference, the medical officials said the patient has no pain post-operation and she can walk comfortably. She is now ready for discharge.

The neurosurgeon said, normally these cases require a team consisting of vascular surgeons and others as the tumour is very loose to the Major blood vessels.

Meanwhile, the council of ministers in Tripura has decided to recruit one more Neurosurgeon among seven doctors for the GBP hospital.

"At present, there is one neurosurgeon working in the hospital. The cabinet decided to appoint one more Neurosurgeon and six doctors on a contract basis," he said after the cabinet meeting.

Chowdhury said another medical facility- cardiothoracic surgery would soon be introduced in the state.

Speaking to the media, the minister said, 2525 patients, availed treatment in Neurosurgery OPD of the GBP hospital from 2019 to September 25, this year. Among them, the successful surgery of 459 persons was conducted.

According to an official source, the number of cases referred outside the state for better treatment was declined significantly over the past few years, following a robust change in the healthcare system including the appointment of specialist doctors and installation of modern equipment.