Shillong, September 7: A 57-year-old man suffering from a rare and debilitating condition known as ‘interstitial lung disease’ has experienced a remarkable turnaround after undergoing a critical lung transplant surgery at Global Hospital.
As per IANS, a skilled team of medical experts, led by Dr. Samir Garde, Dr. Chandrashekhar Kulkarni, Dr. Vishal Pingle, Dr. Prashant Borade, Dr. Shruti Tapiawala, and Dr. Khushboo Dharmani, carried out this marathon 12-hour operation.
Before the surgery, the patient, Vijay Y. Soman, who resides in Andheri, could barely walk even a few steps without oxygen support due to severe breathing difficulties. However, post-surgery, he can now walk 600 meters comfortably without oxygen support, according to the medical team.
Interstitial Lung Disease leads to scarring of lung tissues, resulting in the lungs becoming stiff and fibrosed. The only viable treatment for this condition is a lung transplant.
After consulting with multiple doctors, Soman was eventually referred to Global Hospitals in Parel. Following a series of tests, he was advised to undergo home-based oxygen therapy to alleviate his symptoms.
By May, his condition had deteriorated to the point where he required oxygen support. Due to lung fibrosis, he developed pulmonary hypertension, a condition characterized by increased blood pressure in the lungs, which can adversely affect the right side of the heart and lead to heart failure.
Patients at this stage experience breathlessness with minimal exertion and a drop in oxygen levels.
Medical professionals have noted that the incidence of lung fibrosis has increased by 15 percent in the past five years, with factors such as indoor and outdoor pollution possibly contributing to the rise in cases.
Soman remained motivated throughout his treatment, undergoing physiotherapy and adhering to nutritional advice. After registering for a lung transplant in May, he was fortunate enough to receive a suitable donor pair.
Following the successful surgery, his recovery has been excellent, and he can now complete a 600-meter walk without any breaks or the need for oxygen support, although he will need to take extra precautions since “lungs are directly exposed to the atmosphere.”
Speaking about his journey, Soman said, “Since 2021, my breathing troubles and inability to walk had greatly impacted my work. I am thankful to the doctors who promptly addressed my condition. Despite apprehensions from my family, I was resolute in going for a transplant to improve the quality of my life.”
