DURG, CHHATTISGARH – When 56-year-old B. Swarta suddenly lost consciousness on October 27th, her family rushed to the nearest government hospital. After a preliminary examination, she was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain condition that required immediate action. Dr. Kuldeep Singh, the resident neurosurgeon, decided to perform an urgent cranial surgery to save Swarta’s life. A few hours later, she was out of danger, marking the first successful and complex brain surgery performed at a district hospital in Chhattisgarh.
“The patient presented a complaint of a sudden onset of altered sensorium and vomiting. A CT scan of the brain was performed, which indicated a large infarct in the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory with mass effect and midline shift,” said Dr. Kuldeep Singh to Health On Air.
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He explained that there were blockages present in the brain blood vessels causing it to swell. “As the brain swelling was increasing, a decompressive craniectomy was performed with the assistance of the anaesthesia and ICU teams. This marks the first brain surgery performed at District Hospital Durg,” he said.
Dr Kuldeep Singh who performed the surgery
Highlighting the challenges in dealing with complex cases like Swarta’s, Dr. Kuldeep said, “As the first neurosurgeon at District Hospital Durg, the staff has had no prior exposure to the management and challenges of treating these patients. However, we are learning, and we have the support of the ward, casualty, and operating room staff. Additionally, we have an ICU for the post-operative care of these critical patients.” Notably, among the state’s 25 district hospitals, surgical facilities are only available in Durg.
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At District Hospital Durg, the surgery was entirely free for Swarta, thanks to her Ayushman Card, granting her access to this treatment. In private hospitals, the same surgery would have cost her anywhere from 2.5 to 5 lakh rupees.
Dr. Kuldeep said that they frequently handle cases related to the brain. He stated, “We receive numerous patients with brain strokes every day. Some of them are treated with medication, while others may require surgery if their condition allows for it. Brain surgeries are high-risk procedures, and in many cases, patients may not survive, either during the surgery in the operating room or in the ICU afterward.”
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In Swarta’s case, the procedure involved a complex operation known as a ‘VP shunt.’ This procedure is performed to alleviate the rising pressure within the brain by draining the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) into the abdomen, specifically into the peritoneum, until the elevated intracranial pressure returns to a normal level.
