UAE— Aster Hospital Sharjah has successfully performed vital emergency surgery on Ms Devna Anoop, a 12-year-old Indian national who was diagnosed with cecal volvulus, a rare and potentially fatal illness.
The sixth-grader was taken to the hospital due to severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and difficulty passing stools—symptoms that are sometimes associated with more common gastrointestinal disorders such as infections or constipation.
However, after initial assessments suggested a different diagnosis, more testing using a CT scan showed the genuine and urgent nature of her ailment, demanding emergency surgical surgery.
Ms. Devna, who has a history of preterm birth and low birth weight, was remarkably resilient throughout her treatment and recuperation.
Her condition necessitated a sophisticated and time-sensitive surgical procedure that lasted around 2 hours and 40 minutes.
To avoid future volvulus occurrences, the damaged piece of the intestine was untwisted and the cecum was secured to the abdominal wall during surgery.
The surgical team, led by Dr Sandeep Tandel and Dr Abhilash Jayachandran, both laparoscopic and general surgery specialists at Aster Hospital Sharjah, completed the procedure, resulting in a full recovery for the young patient.
In addition to Dr Tandel and Dr Jayachandran, the team included Dr Mohammed Ilyas, a Specialist Radiologist and Head of the Department, and Dr Ranjana, a Specialist Radiologist.
Their combined expertise ensured this rare condition’s timely diagnosis and successful treatment.
In his address, Dr Sandeep Tandel expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, emphasising that cecal volvulus is a severe condition in children.
He noted that early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention were vital in saving Ms Devna’s life, and her recovery is a testament to her strength and the expert care provided by the medical team.
Dr Mohammed Ilyas, who was instrumental in the diagnosis, highlighted the rarity of cecal volvulus, which often leads to delayed diagnosis.
However, in this case, the swift imaging studies conducted by the team were key to identifying the condition early and enabling immediate surgical treatment.
Ms. Devna’s father, Mr. Anoop Erathenparambil, expressed his deep gratitude to the medical team at Aster Hospital Sharjah.
He specifically thanked Dr. Tandel, Dr. Ilyas, and the entire team for their swift action and expertise, stating that their care and dedication gave his daughter a new lease on life.
Cecal volvulus is a rare type of intestinal obstruction in which the cecum, the first segment of the large intestine, separates from the abdominal wall and twists on itself, cutting off blood supply and causing severe consequences.
Cecal volvulus in children requires prompt identification for appropriate treatment, although this can be difficult due to the condition’s rarity and the non-specific character of the symptoms.
Early detection is critical to prevent serious consequences such as intestinal gangrene, cecal perforation, and generalised peritonitis.
In adults, cecal volvulus accounts for 1–1.5% of intestinal obstructions, with a perioperative mortality rate that can be as high as 40%, depending on bowel viability and the speed of intervention.
The condition involves the twisting of the cecum, leading to an obstruction that can cut off blood supply to the affected area, resulting in severe complications if not treated promptly.
Although symptoms often mimic other gastrointestinal issues, timely intervention can lead to a full recovery, as demonstrated in Ms. Devna’s case.
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