Kochi: A 5-year-old boy's life threatened by congenital diaphragmatic hernia (Bochdalek hernia) seen in children in addition to hydronephrosis affecting kidney function was saved by a rare laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery by the urology team at Kochi's VPS Lakeshore Hospital. The hospital sources said it is for the first time in the world that the diaphragmatic hernia and hydronephrosis was cured through a laparoscopic surgery.
The boy had been suffering from repeated outbreaks of cough, fever, vomiting, and related complications since 6 months of his birth and was found to be having a 6-cm sized hernia in his left diaphragm. Due to this, his viscera including intestines and left kidney were pushed up into the chest. Because of this congenital complication, the boy was also contracted with hydronephrosis, with the blockage in the tube connecting kidney and urethra. He had recently experienced severe pain in the left side of the abdomen and occasional vomiting.
It is estimated that only one in 16,000 are affected by congenital hernia. Even among these, so far, only 140 cases were reported across the world with the kidney getting pushed up into the chest. In 2002, University of Mexico Health Sciences Centre had reported curing a case of diaphragmatic hernia clubbed with thoracic hydronephrosis with open surgery. Urologists at VPS Lakeshore Hospital said that it would be for the first time in the world when a hernia is repaired with a mesh and kidney through pyeloplasty.
It was on November 10th of 2021 the child underwent the rare surgery at VPS Lakeshore and the stent was removed in January 2022. Dr. George P Abraham, Head of Urology & Renal Transplants, VPS Lakeshore Hospital, said after the keyhole surgery, detailed tests were done and the boy was found to be fully cured and can now lead a normal life. The 3-hour long keyhole surgery was done by a team of doctors led by Dr. George P Abraham including Dr. Datson George, Senior Consultant; Dr. Vineeth and Dr. Sam.
