58-year-old teacher gets voice back after critical surgery in UAE

Dubai - The condition was so complicated that any surgical intervention would involve fatal risks.

A 58-year-old primary school teacher from Nigeria - who lost her voice, appetite and about 18kg weight due to a tumour in her throat ­­- has recently been gifted her voice and life back in the UAE, just 24 hours after a complex surgery in Ajman.
Stella Nwanganga Ntiajuka, who also has a rare blood type (O negative), had hardly eaten for the last eight months due to a tumour that was lodged in a sensitive part of her throat. The condition was so complicated that any surgical intervention would involve fatal risks.
Early last year, Stella started experiencing difficulties in her throat. She couldn't swallow solid food well and her voice turned hoarse. In April, she noticed a sizeable lump in her throat. Her condition had worsened so much so that she could not swallow at all, even with water. She was rapidly losing weight and was unable to sleep at night.
Even after consulting several doctors in her country, her illness could not be diagnosed. She underwent several diagnostic tests, X-rays and a biopsy, and results had revealed a "benign spindle tumor in the neck". However, the hospital couldn't operate on her because of the risks involved.
Found the 'right country'
Her family looked for options abroad and they decided to get her treatment done in the UAE because of the advanced healthcare facilities available here, its proximity to their home country Nigeria, and affordability.
Stella's son got her admitted to Thumbay Hospital - Ajman. Stella and her husband arrived at the hospital on November 17.
"There was something pleasant and welcoming about the UAE. The moment I landed here, my mind said that I had arrived in the right country for treatment. After my first consultation with the doctor, I was convinced that I had finally arrived at the right hospital, to be treated by the right doctor," Stella said, recounting her first day in the UAE.
She was attended by Dr Hillol Kanti Pal, medical director and consultant neurosurgeon, who immediately noticed the sizeable mass on her neck occupying the right carotid triangle, a critical area where the common carotid artery and the internal jugular vein run through.
After preliminary and detailed investigations, Dr Hillol diagnosed her with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). She was in the O-ve blood group, making the prospect of a surgical intervention even more complex.
Dr Hillol said: "As we prepared for the surgery, perhaps the biggest challenge in addition to her rare blood group was that she had hardly eaten for eight months. She also had diabetes mellitus, meaning the post-operative wounds could take longer to heal."
Dr Hillol, along with his team, performed three surgical procedures on Stella. In the first one, they had to insert a pipe through her nose, so that she could take in fluid food. The second procedure was to prevent the growth of the tumour, and the third one was to remove the entire tumour. The entire procedure took a total of six-and-a-half hours.
"Only one unit of blood was used throughout the entire procedure. The happiest moment for us was when, 24 hours after the surgery, the patient was able to move her hands and she held my hand and smiled," Dr Hillol said. The team of surgeons included Dr Rajesh Sisodiya, a general surgeon; Dr Faisal Ameer, a plastic surgeon; and Dr Rohit Gulati, an ENT surgeon.
The tumour was completely removed, and Stella is now able to swallow food and drinks without any difficulties. She has regained her voice, too. "I am thankful to Thumbay Hospital - Ajman, the surgeons and the staff for all the help and reassurance they gave me throughout my path to recovery. The team of doctors took my problem as their own, and ensured that I got the right treatment for speedy recovery," she said.
Stella said she is looking forward to doing what she loves most - teaching. "I miss the school and my students. I am happy that I can now return to teaching."
saman@khaleejtimes.com
 
 

• Ajman