Source ForPressRelease.com

A 69-year-old patient, Dharam Pal, underwent a major spinal surgery in a Delhi based Hospital, with the patient’s heart functioning at only 15%. Dharam Pal was struggling with severe pain in his limbs with retention of urine for the past 4 months.



During the period, he not only was unable to walk due to acute pain and weakness in his limbs, but also had lost bowel and bladder functions, including losing control over his urination. In search of relief from this unbearable condition, the patient visited Indian Spinal Injuries Centre for further treatment.



“Dharam Pal had a history of bypass surgery 4 years ago, when he had suffered multiple episodes of heart attack. His heart condition was further deteriorating due to his present condition. He had weakness in his right lower limb and had developed contractures in the right ankle, limiting physical movement completely. Furthermore, the patient was suffering from diabetes and hypertension which complicated matters further. We conducted MRI and found that the patient suffered from large extruded L4-L5 slip disc with Lumbar canal stenosis, which puts pressure on the nerves passing through spinal cord. The host of associated complications made him a challenging case for surgery,” said Dr. Gururaj Sangondimath Consultant and Unit head, Department of spine surgery.



Noting the sensitive condition of the patient, Dr Gururaj incharge of this case first treated the patient with medicines ,root block and physiotherapy. However careful continued monitoring showed not much relief from debilitating pain. Pain was such that patient didn’t have sound sleep since month. Considering all this he was taken up for emergent surgery.



“The Anaesthesiologist and medical team were very wary of the multiple complications this case presented. Especially with only 15% heart function, the patient had low chances of survival. The pain had grown so severe that the patient opted for surgery despite of risk to the life” said anaesthesiologist Dr P R Chauhan and Dr H K Mahajan. “After due consultation and explaining the matter to the family members, the final decision of performing L4-L5 discectomy and fusion surgery was conducted. Very few cases have been operated in the world with heart function of 15%. The whole team of cardiologist, anaesthesiologist, spine surgeons and physicians discussed the case in length and planed all the possible preventive and precautionary measures. Pacemaker sheath was put to be ready if any cardiac event happens. Throughout the surgery, utmost care was taken to maintain his blood pressure and blood volume. Dharam Pal underwent a 2-hour-long successful surgery, and post operation he was monitored in ICU.”



The surgery turned Dharam Pal’s life for the better. After the operation, he had complete relief of his leg pain and his power in the leg improved. Dharam Pal could finally sleep peacefully after months of pain and trauma, and credits the newfound peace and relief to the doctors at the hospital.