Media Release
Udupi, Oct 22: Kasturba Hospital in Manipal has made a significant advancement in the treatment of esophageal perforation, marking a milestone in medical practice for South India. Recently, an elderly patient was admitted to the medical gastroenterology unit with a critical condition: an esophageal perforation resulting in right-sided hydropneumothorax.
Upon admission, initial imaging confirmed the diagnosis, revealing a right-sided hydropneumothorax secondary to the esophageal perforation. The medical team, led by Dr Shiran Shetty, assessed the patient's condition swiftly. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed, which revealed a large mid-esophageal perforation.
Given the patient’s poor functional status, traditional surgical intervention was ruled out. Instead, the team adopted an innovative approach, placing a fully covered metal stent over the perforation site and inserting an intercostal drainage (ICD) to address the hydropneumothorax. This initial strategy aimed to stabilise the patient and manage the complications associated with the perforation.
Following this, the patient received four sessions of ENDOVAC therapy, which led to significant improvement. Building on this success, the team introduced the X-TACK Endoscopic HeliX Tacking System for defect closure—a pioneering technique in South India that ultimately resulted in the complete closure of the persistent perforation.
Dr Ganesh Bhat, professor and head of the department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, commended the collective efforts of Dr Shiran Shetty and his team, including Dr Balaji, Dr Sujay Prabhath, Dr Praveen, Dr Abhay, Dr Sriman, Dr Sachin (anesthesia), and Dr Sweta. He emphasised that their dedication exemplifies Kasturba Medical College and Hospital's commitment to advancing medical practices and delivering the highest standard of patient care.
Dr Avinash Shetty, medical superintendent of Kasturba Hospital, noted that the successful implementation of cutting-edge techniques like the X-TACK system signifies a major advancement in managing esophageal perforations, paving the way for improved outcomes for patients facing similar challenges.
This remarkable case not only highlights the effectiveness of innovative treatments but also positions Kasturba Hospital as a leader in addressing complex gastroenterological conditions.