A Small Victory: IGMC Doctors Perform Thoracoscopic Surgery on a 5-Month-Old Baby

Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla has achieved a significant milestone in pediatric surgery by successfully performing the first thoracoscopic repair of left hemidiaphragm eventration in a five-month-old infant. The baby, born prematurely at DDU Hospital in Shimla with a birth weight of 2.8 kilograms and RH incompatibility, was referred to IGMC’s Department of Pediatrics with complaints of tachycardia and failure to thrive.

According to an IGMC spokesperson, the infant was admitted twice to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) under the care of Dr. Praveen Bhardwaj for recurrent chest infections and breathing difficulties before being diagnosed with diaphragmatic eventration. Subsequently, the child underwent thoracoscopic repair — a first in the pediatric department at IGMC Shimla — performed by a team of specialists including Dr. Raj Kumar, Dr. Kamal Kant Sharma, Dr. Naveen Thakur, R.K. Negi, Dr. Manjeet, Dr. Pradeep, and Dr. Ram Lok.

The spokesperson noted, “This minimally invasive procedure is particularly challenging in infants due to the limited working space, lung expansion, and continuous diaphragmatic motion during the operation.”

Dr. Raj Kumar, head of the pediatric surgery team, stated, “Early diagnosis and expert management of diaphragmatic disorders can prevent recurrent pneumonia and respiratory-related fatalities. While such cases were traditionally treated with open surgery, this historic case marks the successful introduction of infant thoracoscopic repair at IGMC. We extend our gratitude to the hospital administration for providing the logistical support that made it possible for us to carry out such a complex, minimally invasive pediatric procedure.”

An anesthesia team led by Dr. S. Sodhi also played a vital role in ensuring the success of the surgery.