Gujarat: Ahmedabad Civil Hospital performs high-risk hip replacement on woman with serious blood disorder

Ahmedabad, Aug 1 (IANS) The Ahmedabad Civil Hospital has successfully performed a high-risk total hip replacement on a woman suffering from Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). This serious blood disorder significantly increases the risk of excessive bleeding during surgery, hospital officials said on Saturday.

The patient, Sangeeta Trivedi, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, underwent the complex procedure free of cost at the government-run hospital after reportedly being informed by several private hospitals that the surgery would cost between Rs three lakh and Rs five lakh and carried a high risk because of her medical condition.

Medical Superintendent Dr Rakesh Joshi said the successful surgery by the Department of Orthopaedics demonstrated the capability of government hospitals to provide highly specialised treatment for complex medical conditions.

“The Department of Orthopaedics has successfully performed a Total Hip Replacement on a patient suffering from Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). This achievement once again demonstrates that government hospitals are capable of delivering world-class, highly complex medical treatment successfully,” he said.

Professor Dr Piyush Mittal from the Department of Orthopaedics said Trivedi had been living with ITP for a long time.

“The disorder causes a critically low platelet count, making patients highly susceptible to severe bleeding during surgical procedures because platelets are essential for blood clotting,” he said.

According to Dr Mittal, prolonged steroid therapy used to treat her ITP led to Avascular Necrosis (AVN), severely damaging her hip joint. As her condition worsened, a total hip replacement became the only viable option to restore her mobility.

After approaching several private hospitals, where the cost of surgery was estimated in lakhs and concerns were raised over the life-threatening bleeding risk, Trivedi sought treatment at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.

Doctors conducted a comprehensive assessment and prepared a multidisciplinary treatment plan involving the Departments of Orthopaedics, Haematology, Anaesthesia, and the Blood Bank before deciding to proceed with the operation.

During the surgery, Professor Dr Shakuntala and the anaesthesia team played a key role in managing the patient’s condition. To minimise the risk of excessive bleeding, the patient received five units of platelets, one unit of Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) and one unit of Packed Cell Volume (PCV).

The planned blood component support allowed doctors to control bleeding and complete the total hip replacement safely.

Hospital officials said Trivedi is in a stable condition following the surgery. “She has been relieved of severe hip pain and is now able to walk independently and carry out her daily activities, marking a significant improvement in her quality of life after prolonged illness and reduced mobility,” they noted.

–IANS

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