Woman’s deep endometriosis needed 3 surgeons, 1 robotic arm & 12-hour op | Mumbai News

Mumbai: Due to endometriosis, a painful condition that affects 1 in 10 women, a Congolese woman underwent a 12-hour surgery performed by surgeons from three different specialities using a robotic arm in a city hospital.Endometriosis is relatively common, but the extensive and aggressive disease that the 35-year-old patient had is rarely seen, said the doctors from Jaslok Hospital on Pedder Road who treated her. She underwent an open surgery a year ago in her hometown, but it was abandoned midway because of the extensive disease.It’s estimated that endometriosis—where tissue like the uterine lining (endometrium) grows outside the uterus —affects 42 million women in India. The condition is not easy to diagnose in the early stages, resulting in patients often seeking medical help only after it has spread.The Jaslok patient, Josephine Chantal (name changed), said, “Years of infertility and relentless pain stole my hope.” She also suffered from bladder and bowel difficulties, along with intense nerve-related symptoms such as shooting leg and pelvic nerve pain.Gynaecologist Dr Abhishek Mangeshikar, who treated Chantal, said an MRI scan revealed one of the most aggressive forms of deep endometriosis, which engulfed the right side of her pelvis. It also infiltrated the bladder wall and surrounded the vagina and rectum. Her right ureter, the tube that drains urine from the kidney, was blocked and damaged her right kidney. Her right kidney was, in fact, functioning at only 8% and had to be removed during the 12-hour surgery conducted on Nov 21.“She had internal scarring from the previous open surgery that made surgery difficult, but robotic tech helped increase precision,” he said.Urologist Dr Malav Modi removed the kidney, a section of the bladder, and then reconstructed the bladder wall. Dr Mangeshikar removed tissues from across the pelvis, around the bladder, vagina, and pelvic walls, and freed trapped nerves. Colorectal surgeon Dr Chintamani Godbole removed a portion of the intestine and then reconnected it. “Travelling here gave me a second chance. After the robotic surgery, my pain has eased, my strength is returning, and I finally see the possibility of motherhood again,” said the patient. Dr Mangeshikar said the chance of recurrence was low. Senior gynaecologist Dr Kiran Coelho, who was not associated with the case, said cases of endometriosis are rising in urban areas. “Often, a multi-specialty approach is necessary as many organs could be involved. Care has to be taken to ensure the patient doesn’t need a second surgery.”