Woman can't swallow food for two years, gets operated in UAE

Previous surgeries done outside UAE didn't provide any relief to the patient.

After going through two unsuccessful surgeries abroad and suffering for nearly two years with excruciating pain in stomach, throat and difficulty swallowing, Bindu F Dukuly, an American woman, finally found cure at the Ras Al Khaimah Hospital. 
The 73-year-old patient had Achalasia cardia, a serious condition caused by the absence of nerves in esophagus, according to Dr Anup Kumar Panigrahi, Sr. Specialist and Head of Department, Minimal Access Surgery. 
"The commonest symptom of achalasia is difficulty in swallowing, and patients get a sensation that swallowed food, as well as liquids, gets stuck in the chest." 
This problem invariably progresses and becomes severe, he added. "Other symptoms include regurgitation of swallowed food and liquid, chest pain, heartburn, a sensation of fullness or a lump in the throat, hiccups, and weight loss." 
Doctor's team at the minimal access department of the hospital was quick to diagnose the dysfunction of food pipe, he said. "The esophageal function was restored by expert surgeons using sophisticated technology for keyhole surgery, avoiding any big surgical incisions and scars."
Dr Panigrahi said the previous surgeries done outside UAE didn't provide any relief to the patient as the disease wasn't even diagnosed properly. 
"As a result, the case had complicated further and it was quite a challenge to operate on her. She had also lost a significant amount of weight and was very weak, which made it even more difficult to perform corrective surgery." 
The patient had reached a stage wherein swallowing liquids was also impossible for her, making the condition totally unbearable, he explained. "The agonizing pain from her stomach and throat radiated to her ears and even arms, to an extent that even bending and lifting became tedious tasks." 
Due to the similarity of symptoms, this rare disorder can sometimes be mistaken for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatus hernia, and even psychosomatic disorders and heart attack, he warned.
"The Patient was relived through Laparoscopic Heller-Dor operation, which is an effective and safe surgical procedure in resolving symptoms of achalasia and today presents the method of the first choice in the treatment of this disease." 
The patient, Bindu F Dukuly said she could not thank the doctors at RAK Hospital enough for alleviating my pain and giving me my life back.  
"After going through two unsuccessful surgeries and years of pain, I finally found relief and able to enjoy my life." 
"Throughout my stay at the hospital, I was treated like a queen," she said. "The facility is immaculate, team of doctors and nurses very compassionate and caring. God bless them all." 
The patient recovered well from the treatment and was discharged two days post operation. She is currently enjoying her good state of health and relishing her favorite foods.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Ras Al Khaimah