Mangaluru: In one of the most complex and rare surgical interventions, a tumor was removed from a bone of the right arm of a 10-year old girl from Kasargod recently. This rare surgery was performed at the Unity Health Complex, Mangaluru for the first time in this region.
A team of five doctors including Dr. Jalaluddin Akbar were part of the 12-hour surgery, which included the removal of the infected bone and joint of the arm and reconstructing it by taking one of the bones from the leg of the patient.
Earlier, Dr. Akbar told reporters that the cost would have been very high if performed at hospitals in the metros. The Unity Health Complex has a well equipped and state of art operation theatre and postoperative care unit, which made it possible for such a complex surgery to be performed. The cost worked out to less than Rs 2 lakh. It is three times more in other hospitals, he added.
The girl, Khadija, who is studying in the 5th standard, suffered from bone cancer. Her parents said that they had approached many hospitals. In some hospitals, doctors gave us little hope, while in other hospitals, the cost was high.
Presently, the girl is completely fine and was present at the press meet. The doctor said that in six weeks, she will be completely all right.
The team of doctors included Jalaluddin Akbar, Dr Suresh, Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed, Dr. Dinesh Kadam and Dr. Mahendra Ullal.
Mr. Ajmal, Managing Director of Unity Health Complex said that they hospital is well equipped to conduct more such complex surgeries.
