After 10 Years in Bed, Jajpur Man Walks Again Following Landmark Surgery at KIMS

Bhubaneswar: Doctors at Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) Bhubaneswar have restored the mobility of a 62-year-old businessman from Jajpur District who had been bedridden for nearly a decade due to severe lymphoedema following cancer treatment.

Prashanta Kumar Mohanty, who once led an active business life, had lost all hope after his condition worsened over the years. “I was unable to walk and could not even go to the bathroom. My family took me to several hospitals, but no one could help. I was turned away everywhere,” he recalled.

His condition stemmed from treatment for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma nearly 15 years ago, which led to the development of severe lymphoedema in his left leg, resembling the size of an elephant’s leg. The swelling became so extreme that he remained confined to bed for years.

Lymphoedema is a condition in which lymphatic fluid builds up in tissues due to damage or blockage in the lymphatic system, causing persistent swelling—usually in the arms or legs. It often occurs after cancer treatments like surgery or chemotherapy that affect the lymph nodes.

Hope emerged when he was advised to consult Dr. Sunil Rout, Head, Department of Plastic Surgery, KIMS. “Dr Rout told me he would try his best to improve my situation and bring me back to walking condition. My treatment continued for about four months. I never lost faith,” Mohanty said.

According to Dr. Rout, the patient had developed massive swelling due to lymphatic obstruction after chemotherapy. “The lymph nodes were affected during lymphoma treatment, leading to lymphoedema. The swelling was so severe that even the operation table seemed small to accommodate his leg,” he explained.

The surgical team at KIMS performed three complex procedures, removing more than 40 kg of excess tissue that included solid tissue as well as accumulated fluid. Removing such a large amount of tissue and fluid poses a tremendous challenge for the surgical and anaesthesia team to maintain the hemodynamics of the patient during and after surgery. Dr. Jayanta Lenka, Assistant Professor of the Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, supported Dr. Rout during the entire course of this surgical management. Dr. Lingraj Sahu led the anaesthesia team and did a stupendous job during each surgery to bring the patient safely from operation room to the ward. “It was an extremely challenging case, but we were able to successfully manage it with the available advanced facilities,” Dr. Rout said, thanking Dr. Achyuta Samanta, the Founder of KIMS, for enabling world-class healthcare infrastructure at KIMS.

Today, Mohanty has made a complete turnaround. “For 10 years, I could not walk and was confined to bed. Now I am completely cured and have resumed my business,” he said with visible relief.

The patient has expressed deep gratitude to the doctors, nursing staff, and the entire Plastic Surgery department at KIMS for their care and compassion.