Mangaluru: A multidisciplinary medical team at Government Lady Goschen Hospital in Mangaluru successfully performed a high-risk surgery to save the life of a seven-month pregnant woman who was suffering from severe internal bleeding and a potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication.
The woman, from a rural area in Beltangady taluk, developed severe abdominal pain two days ago and was initially taken to a private hospital. Due to the unusual and premature nature of the pain, she was referred to Lady Goschen Hospital.
Doctors detect severe internal bleeding
Doctors found that the pain was not typical labour pain and conducted several tests. They detected internal bleeding in the abdomen, while the woman’s haemoglobin level had dropped to 6 grams and her oxygen level was falling rapidly.
She was shifted to KMC Hospital, Attavar, for an MRI scan. The scan indicated that emergency surgery was required.
Further examination revealed that an old scar from her previous Caesarean section had ruptured, causing the internal bleeding. Doctors also diagnosed placenta percreta, a serious condition in which the placenta grows through the uterine wall.
In this case, the placenta was obstructing the baby’s passage, while associated blood vessels had extended beyond the uterus and invaded the urinary bladder, making the surgery particularly complex.
Team performs four-hour emergency surgery
The Lady Goschen team prepared a treatment plan involving gynaecologists, a general surgeon, super-speciality specialists and anaesthetists.
The surgery began at around 5 am and continued until 9 am, with the team ultimately succeeding in saving the woman’s life.
The procedure was conducted under the supervision of medical superintendent Dr Durga Prasad M R, with support from medical officer Dr Jagadish and senior obstetrician Dr Dayanand.
KMC obstetricians Dr Bharathi and Dr Vineetha Shetty, urological surgeons Dr Sadananda Poojary and Dr Pramod, general surgeon Dr Akshith, and anaesthetists Dr Ranjan and Dr Rakshitha also assisted in the treatment.
Nursing staff Jalaja, Ashwini, Vineetha, Revathi and Sindhu supported the team throughout the procedure.
Multidisciplinary care proves crucial
Dr Durga Prasad M R said the woman’s critical condition required coordinated efforts from doctors and nursing staff.
The hospital has been following a multidisciplinary approach for the past one-and-a-half years, under the medical superintendent’s direction. Officials said this approach proved crucial in managing the complex emergency and carrying out the high-risk surgery.