Rare surgery performed on teen for scar-free valve replacement

She was found to have severe mitral regurgitation (leakage of blood backward through the mitral valve each time the left ventricle contracts) and moderate pulmonary hypertension. A few months ago, when her parents approached doctors at the Government Stanley Medical College Hospital and after extensive evaluation, doctors at the cardiothoracic surgery department advised for mitral valve repair or replacement through the routine procedure of midline sternotomy. 

Dr A. Sivaraman, Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Government Stanley Medical College Hospital, led the surgery. “We then decided to go for a minimal invasive cardiac surgery and carried out the valve replacement in the heart. It was the best solution because for an unmarried girl, a huge scar would be a big setback for marital life in future,” said the doctor. 

He was assisted by Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Professor Dr K Dhamodaran, and assistant professor Dr S Vasundaran. The surgery was done free of cost under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme.