In a landmark achievement, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal, recently performed a complex and life-saving surgery on an 8-year-old child suffering from rib cancer. Despite chemotherapy, the child's condition was worsening, and the cancer in the ribs continued to spread. Under the guidance of Professor (Dr.) Ajai Singh, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhopal, the medical team decided to proceed with surgery, successfully saving the child's life using a novel chest wall reconstruction technique.

This unique procedure, being applied to pediatric chest wall reconstruction for the first time globally, has been recognized and published in the prestigious Journal of Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons. The technique involved using tissue from the child's thigh (tensor fascia lata) to reconstruct the chest wall after removing the tumor, ensuring a successful outcome.

The multidisciplinary team from AIIMS Bhopal included the Pediatric Surgery Department, which performed the tumor excision, and the Plastic Surgery Department, which carried out the chest wall reconstruction using the child's own tissue. The Anesthesia Department played a critical role in ensuring the child's safety throughout the operation. The child, who had been on a ventilator before surgery due to the severity of the condition, was successfully taken off ventilator support just 12 hours post-surgery. Remarkably, the child was discharged from the hospital six days later.

Professor (Dr.) Ajai Singh praised the efforts of the team, emphasizing that this achievement showcases AIIMS Bhopal's commitment to innovative surgical solutions and highlights the hospital's expertise in handling complex pediatric cases. "This surgery is a testament to our doctors' dedication to pushing the boundaries of medical innovation. We are proud of this breakthrough and the impact it will have on pediatric surgery worldwide," said Dr. Singh.

The surgical team comprised Dr. Riaz Ahmed, Additional Professor, Pediatric Surgery; Dr. Suresh K., Assistant Professor, Pediatric Surgery; Dr. Gaurav Chaturvedi, Associate Professor, Plastic Surgery; and Dr. Sunaina Tejpal Karn, Additional Professor, Anesthesia. The successful outcome of this surgery led to the application of the same technique in another similar case, with both patients now in good health one year later.