Udaipur, July 15: In a landmark medical achievement, doctors at Gomati District Hospital successfully performed a complex hernia surgery on an 89-year-old patient using Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block anesthesia — a first of its kind at the hospital.
The patient, Bijoy Chandra Das, a resident of the Palatana area, had been suffering from two types of hernias — one involving the stomach and another pantaloons inguinal hernia — causing him severe and persistent abdominal pain. He consulted senior surgeon Dr. Biswajit Pal, who diagnosed the condition.
However, the case was medically challenging due to the patient’s multiple critical health conditions. He had non-functioning kidneys, a history of cardiac disease, and a dangerously low heart rate of 44 beats per minute, indicating severe bradycardia. Additionally, he was suffering from uncontrolled hypertension and chronic renal dysfunction, all of which significantly increased the risks associated with conventional surgery and anesthesia methods, especially spinal or general anesthesia.
Given the heightened risks, the medical team — comprising Dr. Biswajit Pal (Surgeon), Dr. Moutushi Choudhury (Anesthesiologist), and Dr. Priyanka Debbarma (Radiologist) — opted for a safer alternative. With the patient’s and family’s consent, they decided to use a TAP block, a form of local anesthesia, administered with the help of ultrasound guidance to numb the nerves in the abdominal wall.
This innovative approach allowed the surgical team to operate without the cardiovascular stress typically associated with general anesthesia. The surgery was completed successfully in just one hour, marking a major breakthrough in geriatric surgical care in the state.
The Tripura Health Department acknowledged the procedure through an official press release, calling it a milestone for Gomati District Hospital and a testament to the growing capacity of public health institutions to handle high-risk cases with modern techniques.
