HospiUpdate

Complicated Intra-cardiac Repair of A-V Canal Defect Performed at Apollo

The patient with Dr Prathap Reddy and Preetha Reddy

The paediatric cardiac team at the new Apollo Children's Hospital, Chennai successfully performed a complicated surgery to treat a condition called complete a-v canal defect in a four-month-old Nigerian baby.

Said Dr Neville Solomon, Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon, Apollo Children's Hospital, "The Nigerian baby was ailing with a condition called complete a-v canal defect. This consists of two holes in the heart with mitral and tricuspid valves possibly leaky as well. The child also has Down's syndrome, which makes the surgery even more risky. The child was investigated by 2D echo, 3D echo and catheterization and angiogram. The surgery involved closing of the holes in the heart and repairing the mitral and tricuspid valves."

The pre-operative 3D echo was done by paediatric cardiologist Dr Muthukumaran, who is among the few cardiologists in the country trained to perform this investigative procedure. This 3D transesophageal echo at Apollo is the first of its type in Tamil Nadu. "It is gratifying that the baby was brought in for surgery by the fourth month as usually beyond six months, the results are not as good. It is gratifying that the baby is doing well and will be returning home tomorrow," added Dr Solomon.

Said Dr Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Groups, "This 80- bed Apollo Children's Hospital is emblematic of the change we wanted to see in child healthcare, and an extension of our long and successful foray in quality pediatrics. Every little life represents immense potential and the onus is on us to nurture it." Situated in the close vicinity of flagship Apollo Hospitals at Greams Road, The Apollo Children's Hospital is one of the finest in the country.

EH News Bureau