Lucknow: In a landmark medical achievement, doctors at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Lucknow, successfully treated a rare and life-threatening 8 cm aortic tear in a 27-year-old patient from Prayagraj using the advanced “Frozen Elephant Trunk” surgical procedure.
The young patient, Alok, had been suffering from chest pain and breathlessness for nearly five months, initially mistaking it for acidity or chest congestion. Detailed investigations at Max Hospital revealed a massive aortic dissection extending from the aortic root to the abdominal aorta, posing an imminent risk of rupture and sudden death. He was also suspected to have Marfan Syndrome, a congenital connective tissue disorder.
A team led by Dr. Vijayant Devenraj, Director & HOD – Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery (CTVS), performed a marathon 7-hour surgery. The procedure required deep hypothermic total circulatory arrest (DHCA), lowering the patient’s body temperature to 18°C and temporarily stopping blood circulation to the heart, brain, kidneys, and liver.
During the operation, surgeons replaced the ascending aorta and aortic arch, reconnected brain arteries, and placed a stented hybrid graft in the descending thoracic aorta. The intricate “Frozen Elephant Trunk” method allowed all repairs to be carried out in a single operation.
Despite the complexity, blood loss was minimal, and the patient recovered well. He was discharged 10 days post-surgery in stable condition.
Dr. Devenraj noted, “This was an extremely rare and difficult case, especially in such a young patient. The successful outcome underscores our ability to manage the most critical cardiovascular conditions with world-class surgical expertise.”
The case highlights Max Hospital Lucknow’s advanced capabilities in delivering cutting-edge care for complex cardiac and vascular disorders.
