42-yr-old man gets second chance at life, and other inspiring medical miracles

With Covid-19 taking over our lives in the last five years, it has changed our perspective on life. While some have promised to live life to the fullest, others have become a little cautious about htheir health. 

While it is difficult for sick people and their families to find hope, there are others out there battling the odds to live life with the help of doctors in the city. As many people visit Mumbai to get treated for their diseases, these inspiring stories of resilience are not only inspiring but also about the commendable medical expertise in India.

42-year-old man gets second chance at life after rare interstate intestine transplant
Earlier this week, doctors at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital gave a new lease of life to a 42-year-old man from rural Maharashtra by successfully performing a rare small intestine transplant. The organ, retrieved from a cadaveric donor in Delhi, travelled over 1,400 kilometers to Mumbai in just four-and-a-half hours.

The family of the 21-year-old female donor, who was pronounced brain dead at a private hospital in Delhi after a road traffic accident, consented to donate her organs.  

Two years ago, Mr Siddheshwar Dake from Beed in Maharashtra began experiencing persistent abdominal pain and severe cramps. Despite consulting several hospitals across the Marathwada region, he received an inconclusive diagnosis ranging from ulcers to cancer. His condition continued to deteriorate.

Earlier this year, he was admitted to a private hospital in Sambhajinagar, where his family learned about the specialised Liver, Intestine, and Pancreas OPD run by Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital in the city. They consulted Dr. Gaurav Chaubal, Director – HPB Surgery & Liver and Multi-Organ Transplant, at Nanavati Max Hospital, Mumbai.

Explaining the case, Dr Gaurav Chaubal, director – HPB Surgery & Liver and Multi-Organ Transplant, Nanavati Max Hospital, Mumbai, said, “A CT scan revealed that the patient’s small intestine had lost its blood supply and turned gangrenous. Subsequent investigations diagnosed the patient with Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) thrombosis caused by a hypercoagulable state—an increased tendency for blood clots to form. Immediate intervention was required to prevent a life-threatening situation. We performed an emergency surgery to remove the affected segment. In such cases, a small intestine transplant is the only curative solution.”

With no suitable living donor in the family, Dake was placed on the national cadaveric transplant waiting list. One month later, the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) notified the hospital of a potential donor in Delhi.

Dr Aditya J. Nanavati, associate director – HPB Surgery, Liver & Multi-Organ Transplant, Nanavati Max Hospital, Mumbai, explained, “Upon receiving the alert from NOTTO, the organ retrieval team flew to Delhi with all necessary equipment. The retrieval procedure was conducted promptly upon arrival. Our network hospitals, Max Hospital Shalimar Bagh and BLK-Max Hospital supported us in managing logistics, including ambulance services, police clearances, and expedited tissue cross-matching. The precision process was a result of coordinated teamwork.”

After completing the retrieval and necessary protocols, the team transported the intestine to Mumbai via a specially arranged green corridor. The organ reached Nanavati Max Hospital within 10 minutes of landing. The transplant was completed successfully within eight hours, well within the organ’s viability window. Mr. Dake was discharged within three weeks in a stable condition and is recovering well.

Adding, Dr. Vivek Talaulikar, chief operating officer (Western Region), Max Healthcare said, “This rare interstate transplant demonstrates the crucial role of precise coordination in organ transplantation. Each step—from aviation logistics and ground transport to immunological testing—was meticulously planned by the team of Nanavati Max Hospital and the network hospitals of Max Healthcare.”

Small intestine transplants are among the rarest forms of solid organ transplantation in India. Intestinal transplants are performed only in highly specialised centers due to the complexity of the procedure and the challenges of post-operative care. Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, due to its vast experience and clinical expertise, has emerged as one of the busiest referral centres for Intestine Transplantation for patients from particularly South-East Asia and also the rest of the world. 

Mumbai hospital saves 30-week premature baby with major congenital anomaly
Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai, in a rare and complex case involving surgical and intensive care management, successfully treated a 30-week-old premature infant born with low birth weight (1.3 kg) and a Type C Tracheo-oesophageal Fistula (TEF). This congenital condition causes an abnormal connection between the windpipe and the food pipe, leading to excessive salivation and a high risk of choking and lung infection. The medical team at Jaslok Hospital performed a single-stage corrective surgery followed by oesophageal dilatation, marking a first-of-its-kind achievement in such a delicate case. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the multidisciplinary team, the baby is now stable, is exclusively breastfed, weighs 1.8 kg, and is ready to be discharged.

Born in Vapi in Gujarat, the infant faced life-threatening complications due to the condition, and the parents contacted Dr Fazal Nabi, Director Paediatrics at Jaslok Hospital for higher treatment options. Considering the complexity of the case Dr Fazal Nabi himself travelled to Vapi to fetch the baby to ensure the safety during the transport and the baby was brought to Jaslok Hospital under his expert monitoring with artificial ventilation. Baby was immediately admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), where Dr. Fazal Nabi took charge of his treatment. On arrival, the baby was placed on ventilator support, given haemodynamic stabilization with inotropes, and started on intensive sepsis management.

Later, pediatric surgeon Dr. Nargish Barsivala, paediatric Surgeon at Jaslok Hospital was consulted who advised the most appropriate approach will be a one-stage surgery once the baby is stable. On the 3rd day, Dr Barsivala performed a one-stage corrective surgery, involving ligation of the fistula and end-to-end oesophageal anastomosis, after which the baby was moved to the intensive care unit. In the period following the surgery, the team faced another problem of intestinal movement. Because of prematurity and low birth weight the intestines were not moving properly. Baby was on (NG) Nasogatric tube feeding along with partial TPN. The baby had problems of swallowing also. Nasogastric Tube Feeding was given for about a month and then a decision was taken for performing Feeding Gastrostomy and the NG tube was removed. 

However, even after a month, the baby continued to have difficulty swallowing. To address this challenge, a gastrostomy procedure was performed. The team opted for a high-risk oesophageal dilatation procedure using the smallest available dilator. Dr. Pankaj Dhawan, Consultant Gastroenterology at Jaslok Hospital carried out this delicate procedure, with crucial support from the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, led by Dr. Fazal Nabi along with Dr Barsivala and Anaesthesia team. Gradually, the baby began swallowing on his own, leading to the removal of the NG tube.

Dr Fazal Nabi, director – Paediatrics, at the hospital said, “When the baby was brought in, he was struggling — tiny, fragile, and in urgent need of care. From stabilising him on arrival to managing post-surgical complications, every step had to be timed and tailored. The oesophageal dilatation was particularly challenging, but the team worked in perfect sync. Watching him now, feeding on his own and ready to go home, is a reminder of why we do what we do. It was a team effort from start to finish, and I am grateful for the critical support”

Dr Nargish Barsivala, consultant – paediatric surgery at the hospital, said, “Operating on a premature baby weighing just over a kilo is never easy. The tissues are extremely delicate, and the margin for error is almost zero. But given the nature of the condition, waiting wasn’t an option. We decided to go ahead with a single-stage repair, knowing the risks but also the long-term benefits. The successful outcome was made possible by the precise surgical expertise, expert anaesthesia support by Dr Rajani Prajish and assisting help from Dr Kotawala and the surgical residents.

Expressing gratitude, Trupti, who is the mother of the baby said, “My baby is a precious baby born after 8 years of marriage with IVF support. When my baby was born so early and so fragile, I feared the worst. However, the care and dedication shown by the doctors and staff at Jaslok Hospital gave me hope. I truly believe that without their expertise and compassion, my child would not be here today.”

The hospital`s Chief Medical Officer Dr Milind Khadke, mentioned “It is the clinical excellence and cutting-edge technology behind saving a 30-week premature baby with Tracheo-oesophageal fistula—a rare, life-threatening condition. Despite low birth-weight and under 50&#37 survival odds, the landmark surgery showcases the hospital’s advanced neonatal care and surgical expertise, achieving a remarkable medical breakthrough.”

The family is now receiving comprehensive guidance on caring for the premature infant at home, including safe feeding practices, medication schedules, and vital warning signs to watch for. 

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