Bhubaneswar, July 25: Conducting a highly challenging emergency procedure and displaying excellent medical expertise and teamwork, doctors at SUM Ultimate Medicare here have successfully saved the life of a 10-month-old baby by removing a custard apple seed that was lodged deep inside the child’s right bronchus.
The infant, which had inhaled the seed, was rushed to the hospital in severe respiratory distress while gasping for breath. A chest X-ray revealed complete opacification of the right lung due to total blockage of the right main bronchus, making it a life-threatening medical emergency that required immediate intervention.
The delicate procedure was led by Dr. Radhamadhab Sahu, Senior Consultant, Department of ENT and Skull Base Surgery, who performed an emergency rigid bronchoscopy to remove the foreign body. Operating on the airway of a 10-month-old infant posed significant challenge because of the extremely small calibre of the airway. The custard apple seed was unusually large in comparison to the baby’s bronchus and its smooth, slippery surface made it exceptionally difficult to grasp the seed and retrieve the same.
After multiple unsuccessful attempts caused by the tightly impacted and slippery foreign body, Dr. Sahu successfully removed the seed using specialised optical forceps immediately relieving the airway obstruction and restoring the baby’s breathing.
“Performing bronchoscopy in a 10-month-old infant is one of the most demanding airway procedures. The foreign body was very large for the baby’s airway and its slippery nature made retrieval extremely difficult. We encountered a few failed attempts, we were able to remove it successfully with patience, precision and the use of optical forceps,” said Dr. Sahu.
The successful procedure was made possible through the coordinated efforts of a multidisciplinary team which included Dr. Ranjit Pati from Department of Anaesthesia. Dr. Pradeep Dey and Dr. Himanshu from the Department of Pediatrics provided critical pre and post-procedure care. The baby recovered well following the intervention and is now in stable condition.
Dr. Sahu also urged parents to exercise caution while feeding infants and toddlers, advising them to keep small food items including seeds, nuts and other tiny objects out of children’s reach. Accidental aspiration could rapidly become fatal if timely medical attention is not sought, he said.
“The successful management of this critical case reflects the exceptional clinical expertise, advanced infrastructure and collaborative approach that define patient care at SUM Ultimate Medicare. Saving the life of a 10-month-old baby in such a complex emergency is a remarkable achievement and reinforces the hospital’s commitment to providing world-class healthcare with compassion, precision and innovation. I congratulate the entire multidisciplinary team for their exemplary effort,” said Prof. (Dr.) Manojranjan Nayak, Founder President of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan.
SUM Ultimate Medicare has emerged as one of Odisha’s leading tertiary care centres for management of complex pediatric airway foreign body emergencies. Equipped with advanced bronchoscopy facility, specialised optical instruments and an experienced multidisciplinary team, the hospital has successfully managed several life-threatening pediatric airway cases over the years.
“Every second is crucial in pediatric airway emergencies, and this case is a testament to the preparedness, skill and seamless coordination of our medical teams. We are proud that our specialists could successfully overcome such a challenging situation and give this baby a new lease of life. At SUM Ultimate Medicare, we remain committed to delivering timely, advanced and patient-centric care, especially in life-threatening emergencies where expertise makes all the difference,” said Dr. Swetapadma Dash, CEO, SUM Ultimate Medicare.
