Rare transplant saves kid’s life

India’s first robot-assisted removal of a part of a donor’s tissue was carried out at a hospital in Gurgaon.

India’s first robot-assisted removal of a part of a donor’s tissue was carried out at a hospital in Gurgaon.

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The rare surgery was conducted at Gurgaon’s Medanta-The Medicity on September 17.

“It is a boon for donors as it reduces the 10-inch scar to four inches,” said Dr AS Soin, chief liver transplant surgeon, Medanta, who led a five-member team.

Globally, a robot is being used for liver retrieval since 2008. A robot is used only to remove the liver for transplant because it is a less complicated surgery, than placing it inside the recipient. The donor in this case was Rahmatullah P, a resident of Bellary, Karnataka, who donated 20% of his liver to save his four-year-old nephew Zaid Hussain’s life.

Hussain’s liver could not produce an enzyme, which is responsible for protein breakdown.

The genetic disease ‘tyrosinemia’, which occurs in one among one lakh children damages the liver and eventually leads to liver cancer.

When both parents were found unfit for donation, the child’s uncle agreed to donate a part of his liver.

“It adds Rs 80,000 more to the total cost of surgery,” said Dr Soin. Liver transplant in children costs about Rs 15 lakh.