Ram Avatar Sahoo (63) got a new lease of life after a critical medical intervention was carried out by the doctors of Ispat General Hospital (IGH) here. Sahoo was suffering from cancer of oesophagus (food pipe) and was unable to even swallow a few drops of water. A big tumour mass had almost blocked the passage of his oesophagus.
He was given chemotherapy and radiotherapy at Bhubaneswar but got no relief from his symptoms. IGH Gastroenterologist Dr PK Mohapatra assessed the patient and decided to implant a stent in his oesophagus. Dr Mohapatra assisted by Dr M Majhi (Radiologist) and Dr NP Sahoo and Dr BK Naik of Anaesthesia implanted a metal stent in the patient’s oesophagus on February 22.
The patient was able to swallow liquid and food after the procedure. This is the first time that such a procedure has been carried out at the IGH or any of the hospitals in western Odisha. It is a major step forward towards enhancing the services of the gastroenterology unit of the hospital.
Many patients suffering from cancer of oesophagus or stricture of the oesophagus due to corrosives etc can now be treated similarly, allowing them to swallow food easily.