In a remarkable display of multi-specialty collaboration, a medical team at a leading New Delhi hospital has successfully treated two women, both in their 60s, afflicted with severe fistulas between the intestine and vagina.
Despite multiple failed surgeries following radiation therapy for cervical cancer and other complications, these patients found renewed hope when referred to Dr. Anil Arora and Dr. Shivam Khare. By ingeniously repurposing a cardiac occluder device, typically used to treat structural heart defects, the doctors sealed the rectovaginal and enterovaginal fistulas through a minimally invasive endoscopic approach.
Pediatric cardiologist Dr. Neeraj Agrawal assisted in adapting the device to ensure a robust closure and quicker recovery.
According to Dr. Khare, "Using a cardiac occluder device in these cases is a novel approach that minimizes risk and recovery time while providing an effective solution to complex fistulas. This marks a major advancement in the field, especially for patients who have previously run out of options."
The procedure highlights the importance of collaboration across specialties, with Dr. Arora, Chairman of the Institute of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Pancreatobiliary Sciences, emphasizing that such innovations offer new possibilities for challenging cases.
The success of this technique paves the way for further exploration of cardiac devices in treating complex gastrointestinal conditions.
