New Delhi – In a remarkable medical breakthrough, doctors at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, have successfully treated two women suffering from complex fistulas—abnormal communication between the large intestine and womb—using an innovative cardiac occluder fistula closure device. This cutting-edge procedure, which typically used in heart surgeries, was utilized to seal these fistulas, providing a new treatment option for conditions that would otherwise require challenging surgery.
The first patient, a 61-year-old woman, had been suffering from the passage of stool from the vagina due to a rectovaginal fistula for years, following radiation therapy for cervical cancer. The second patient, a 65-year-old woman, was experiencing the passage of stool from the vagina because of an abnormal connection between the small intestine and the vagina, known as an enterovaginal fistula. Both patients had previously undergone unsuccessful surgeries and faced limited treatment options until they were referred to Dr. Anil Arora and Dr. Shivam Khare.
The patient was referred to GI service by Dr Rahul Modi the leading Gynecologic Oncology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. The procedure was performed by Dr. Anil Arora and Dr. Shivam Khare, both known for their expertise in innovative surgical techniques, with the assistance of Dr. Neeraj Agrawal, a leading pediatric cardiologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. For these complex fistula cases, Dr. Agrawal played a crucial role in adapting the cardiac occluder device, which is typically used in heart patients. Together, the Gastro Endoscopy team successfully sealed both fistulas minimally invasively, offering the patients a quicker recovery and a high likelihood of long-term success.
Dr. Shivam Khare shared, “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.” Dr. Anil Arora added, “The ability to adapt this device to treat fistulas is an example of the collaboration between multiple specialties and the role of collaborative innovation in modern medicine.”
The patients had marked relief in symptoms after the procedure. “After years of living with this condition, I finally feel like I can lead a normal life again,” said the 61-year-old patient with a rectovaginal fistula. Similarly, the 65-year-old enterovaginal fistula patient shared her gratitude, saying, “I’m so thankful for this treatment—it’s given me my life back, as all stool now passes regularly from the rectum with no communication with the vagina.”
This success highlights the advanced, state-of-the-art endoscopy and gastro-surgical services at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, which are at the forefront of medical innovation. The hospital’s commitment to offering cutting-edge treatments is exemplified in this procedure, setting new standards in minimally invasive surgery and patient care.
These groundbreaking treatments demonstrate the potential for this new technique to revolutionize the management of rectovaginal and enterovaginal fistulas. This development not only provides hope to patients in India but also opens new doors for the global medical community in treating these complex conditions.
