Patna: Doctors at All India Institute of Medical Sciences Patna have successfully removed a rare chest tumour from a three-year-old girl using advanced minimally invasive “keyhole” surgery, offering new hope to families seeking specialised paediatric treatment in the region. The procedure involved removing a tumour known as ganglioneuroma, a rare benign growth that develops from nerve tissue inside the chest cavity.
According to doctors, the tumour measuring about 7 x 6 x 5 cm was removed through just three tiny 5-mm incisions using a thoracoscopic technique. The surgery avoided the need for a large chest cut, which is usually required in conventional open thoracotomy procedures. Such traditional surgeries typically involve spreading the ribs, leading to greater pain, visible scarring and longer recovery periods, particularly difficult for young children.
The surgical team at AIIMS Patna opted for a minimally invasive approach to prioritise the child’s comfort and recovery. Using a small camera and specialised surgical instruments inserted through tiny incisions, doctors carefully removed the tumour during a complex procedure that lasted nearly five hours. The technique significantly reduced surgical trauma and helped ensure less postoperative pain and faster healing.
Thoracoscopic tumour removal in small children is performed only in a limited number of advanced medical centres because it requires highly specialised surgical and anaesthesia expertise. Doctors said the successful procedure demonstrates the growing capability of AIIMS Patna to handle complex paediatric minimally invasive surgeries comparable to leading medical institutions in India and abroad.
The surgery was carried out by a paediatric surgery team comprising Dr Amit Kumar Sinha, Dr Saurav Srivastava, Dr Amit Kumar, Dr Rashi, Dr Digamber Chaubey and Dr Gaurav Shadilya. The paediatric anaesthesia team, led by Dr Chandni, played a crucial role by administering single-lung ventilation using a bronchial blocker technique, a highly specialised method for anaesthesia in very young patients.
Doctors said the child responded well after the operation. She was extubated in the operating theatre itself and continued to recover steadily during postoperative care before being discharged in stable condition, bringing relief to her family.
Prof (Brig) Dr Raju Agarwal, executive director of AIIMS Patna, congratulated the medical teams and said the success reflects the institute’s commitment to safe and advanced healthcare. He added that the increasing use of minimally invasive techniques is transforming patient care by reducing pain, shortening hospital stays and allowing patients especially children to return to normal life sooner.
The case marks an important milestone for AIIMS Patna and signals that advanced, child-friendly medical care is becoming increasingly accessible to families across Bihar and eastern India.
