by Prashant Kapadia/NHN
15-year-old scoliosis patient fights back life post board exams, resumes education.
Only two months ago, 15-year-old Aishwarya Gopalakrishnan was fighting for life on the ventilator. Her worsening spinal curvature due to advanced scoliosis had compressed her lungs causing extremely low oxygen saturation. After a week of being on a respiratory support system, complex spinal correction surgery, and prolonged recovery period, the teenager has jumped back on her feet, ready to resume her academic and social life.
“Her online classes started in May but she couldn’t attend due to prolonged hospitalization and recovery. From the first week of June, she started attending the online classes with determination to excel in her academic front. She is also able to walk with support & getting back to the routine activities,” said Gopalakrishnan, her beaming father.
Aishwarya was suffering from Scoliosis—a gradually increasing curvature of the spine that most often occurs during the growth spurt just before puberty. However, in her case, the severity of the condition was causing curvature of the spine along with frequent bouts of breathlessness.
“She had studied intensely throughout the year to excel in the Board X exams. In spite of the breathlessness, she attempted all subject papers with pure grit and determination. But as soon as the exam was over, we rushed her to the hospital,” said her father, Gopalakrishnan.
Post thorough clinical evaluation, the team of pediatricians diagnosed that the gradual curvature of her spine was compressing the lungs, causing the breathlessness. If not attended immediately, the condition could’ve been fatal.
Dr. Mihir Bapat, Director & Senior Consultant, Nanavati Institute of Spine Surgery spearheaded the team that decided to perform a complex spinal correction. “Correcting the curvature of the spine was the only option to decompress her lungs and permanently stabilize the breathing function. We at Nanavati Hospital were at the forefront at forming policies for COVID as well as Non-COVID emergency procedures, which made it possible for us to perform such as critical, emergency procedure amidst the pandemic,” said Dr. Bapat.
All necessary infection control procedures were put in place for the patient, staff, and surgical team prior to the surgery. Post a successful surgery, Aishwarya was gradually weaned off the ventilator and could breathe normally. Within two weeks she was able to perform her routine activities.
Speaking at the successful procedure, Mr. Manpreet Sohal, Director & Chief Operating Officer, explained how Nanavati Hospital has managed to perform several Non-COVID lifesaving procedures while treating a high number of COVID patients.
“A spew of infection control measures were implemented from the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. Starting from splitting the hospital into Red and Green Zones to demarcate COVID and Non-COVID areas, creating twin facilities for essential departments such as Triage area for Screening and Testing, Accident and Emergency, Dialysis, Intensive Care Units & Operation Theaters amongst others. While we are fighting the COVID pandemic, it’s absolutely essential to create a safe environment to attend & operate Non-COVID emergencies to ensure more lives can be saved,” said Mr. Sohal.
About Nanavati Super Specialty Hospital:
Nanavati Super Specialty Hospital is a tertiary care private hospital in the country which has been at the forefront of healthcare for the past 70 years. The 350-bedded facility is being managed by Radiant Life Care Private Limited which aims at facilitating the ongoing pursuit of excellence at the Hospital by assisting and bringing-in not only the best clinical and non-clinical talent but also the ultra-modern equipment and technology enabling delivery of the highest standards of healthcare in our country.
The hospital is equipped with 55 specialty departments offering a plethora of services in practically every field of modern medicine and healthcare. Well-equipped hospital rooms, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and technologically advanced systems are all backed by the expertise of over 350 consultants & 2100 health-workers including resident doctors, nurses, technicians, paramedical staff, and other employees.
The hospital provides a wide spectrum of Super Specialty Services in the field of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Urology, Kidney Transplant, Nephrology, Gastroenterology, Cancer, BMT, Cardiac and Surgical Gastroenterology, Liver Transplant, Orthopedics including Spine Surgery, Joint Replacement & Sports Medicine, Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery and comprehensive Mother & Child Care.
