Mumbai: A 16-year-old girl from Baramati underwent a rare minimally invasive surgery for a congenital heart defect at Sir JJ Hospital. The girl was diagnosed with a 21mm inlet ventricular septal defect (VSD), a congenital heart condition characterised by a hole in the heart.
“If left untreated, this condition could lead to severe complications, including death,” said Dr Suraj Vasudev Nagre, associate professor in the cardio-thoracic and vascular surgery (CVTS) department. He added that the girl had suddenly experienced breathlessness, which prompted her local doctor in Baramati to refer her to JJ Hospital.
Congenital VSDs are the most common cardiac anomaly in children. Symptoms typically include heavy breathing, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, and sweating. While small VSDs in infants often close on their own without causing significant problems, larger or persistent defects require medical intervention. “In her case, the symptoms of VSD became apparent recently when she experienced breathlessness,” said Dr Nagre.
Doctors initially advised the family to opt for open-heart surgery. However, given the girl’s young age, the family was concerned about the associated risks. “Traditional open-heart surgery, which involves breaking the chest bone (sternotomy), poses risks of infections, prolonged recovery, and high costs, particularly in private hospitals. Government hospitals under the state government’s Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY) offered free treatment but often relied on conventional surgical methods,” explained Dr Nagre.
In light of these concerns, the doctors decided on an innovative minimally invasive approach. This procedure required only a 5cm incision on the side of the chest, reducing pain, speeding up recovery, and leaving barely noticeable scars. The surgery was fully covered under the MJPJAY scheme, eliminating any financial burden,” Dr Nagre added. The girl was discharged four days after the surgery without any complications.
