GEM Hospital, Coimbatore, has successfully performed a combined living-donor liver transplant and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery on a 55-year-old patient in a single operative session. The hospital states that this is the first such combined procedure in Coimbatore, bringing together two specialised surgical teams to address complex liver and cardiac conditions simultaneously.
Mr. Raghavan was brought to the hospital following a cardiac arrest and was successfully revived. Subsequent investigations revealed advanced liver disease requiring a transplant. Further cardiac evaluation identified blockages in three coronary arteries, necessitating CABG surgery.
According to the clinical team, the patient's condition made it extremely challenging to perform either procedure independently, with the other surgery planned at a later stage. After careful evaluation, the team decided to undertake both procedures during the same operative session. The patient's wife came forward to donate a portion of her liver, making the transplant possible.
The complex procedure involved coordinated efforts from the liver transplant, cardiac surgery, anaesthesia and intensive care teams, with continuous monitoring and support throughout the operation.
“Mr. Raghavan could not have survived one operation while waiting for the other. Performing both together required two teams working side by side in one operating theatre, with anaesthesia and intensive care teams ensuring his stability throughout. His wife's decision to donate is what made this possible,” said Dr. N. Anand Vijai, Lead Consultant, Department of Minimal Access HPB Surgery & Liver Transplant, GEM Hospital.
The procedure highlights the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in managing critically ill patients with multiple life-threatening conditions. It also underscores the role of living-donor liver transplantation and advanced cardiac surgical care in addressing complex clinical challenges.
The complex procedure was carried out by a multidisciplinary team comprising Dr. N. Anand Vijai, Dr. Rajiv Maharaj, Dr. V. P. Nalankilli, Dr. Dinesh and Dr. Magnus Jayaramansard from the surgical team; Dr. Diwakar and Dr. Raghu from intensive care; Dr. Prabhakar, Dr. Gowtham and Dr. Prem from anaesthesia; and Dr. Mohd. Juned Khan from the medical team. The cardiac team from KG Hospital, comprising Dr. Arun, Dr. Vijaykumar and Dr. Omprakash, also played a key role in the procedure. The coordinated efforts of the teams were crucial in managing the patient's complex medical condition throughout the combined surgery.
Dr. C. Palanivelu, Chairman of GEM Hospital, appreciated the entire medical team for their expertise, dedication and coordinated efforts in successfully performing this complex combined procedure. He commended the surgical, cardiac, anaesthesia and intensive care teams for their commitment to patient care and for working together to overcome a challenging medical situation.