In a jaw-dropping feat, a team of surgeons and medical professionals at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi here has successfully operated upon a young girl suffering from a massive jaw tumour –over 1.5 kgs--associated with hyperparathyroidism, a rare endocrine disorder.
The surgery, which was a collaborative effort between the surgical disciplines and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, was conducted by the Head of the Department of Surgery, Dr Sunil Chumber and the Head of the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr Ajoy Roychoudhury has now ensured quality life to the teenager who was facing stigma because of her facial disfigurement and having difficulty eating and speaking.
The team of surgeons led by Prof Chumber operated on her for parathyroid adenoma while her jaw tumor excision and reconstruction were performed by Prof Roychoudhury and Prof Ongkila Bhutia.
Dr Roychoudhury, explained that the girl’s family, in the last six months, had approached many hospitals but in vain. “When she approached us we investigated that the tumour was a rare type that is usually benign. It was very risky in terms of bleeding and risk of causing permanent damage to her ability to eat or speak, but we were able to manage well with accurate planning and a great team.”
Her tumors were diagnosed using modern radiology and nuclear medicine diagnostic methods led by Dr Devasenapathy and Dr Nishikant Damle.
Dr Chumber explained that the parathyroid gland, which is located in the neck, plays a crucial role in maintaining the calcium and phosphate balance in the human body. The gland secretes parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates calcium levels in the blood.