15-05-2025
Newborns undergo keyhole procedures for critical health conditions in Tiruchi
Surgeons at Maa Kauvery and Kauvery Heartcity hospitals in Tiruchi have performed keyhole heart procedures on two newborn babies suffering from serious health conditions.
In the first case, a 48-hour-old baby weighing 2 kg was struggling to get enough oxygen due to a condition called Critical Pulmonary Valve Stenosis, where the valve connecting the heart to the lungs was severely narrowed. The baby underwent a procedure called balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty, in which a tiny balloon was used to open the valve and restore proper blood flow.
The second case involved a 11-day-old infant weighing 1.5 kg facing persistent breathing difficulties. The underlying issue was an abnormal blood vessel in the heart that had failed to close after birth, known as Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). Surgeons performed an operation to place a Piccolo PDA device to seal the opening. The baby's breathing improved within 48 hours.
Both procedures were done using minimally invasive angiographic techniques through blood vessels in the thigh that required only small, precise openings through the skin, rather than traditional surgery.
Addressing a press conference, S.P. Vinoth Kumar, consultant paediatric cardiologist, Maa Kauvery Hospital, who led both the surgeries, along with teams from cardiac anesthesia and catheterisation laboratory, said: 'Parents must seek medical assistance as soon as possible for children born with heart issues in order to improve their chances of recovery.'
D. Senguttuvan, co-founder and executive director, Kauvery Hospital, S. Mani Ram Krishna, consultant paediatric cardiologist, Kauvery Hospital Heartcity, and K. Senthil Kumar, head and senior consultant – neonatologist, Maa Kauvery Hospital, spoke.
