BG NEWS ! Doctors from Apollo Hospitals set record for removing the heaviest tumour, awarded by India Book of Records

National, May 2 : A team of doctors at Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad, led by chief surgical gastroenterologist Dr Chirag Desai, has set the record for surgically removing the heaviest tumour in India and has been awarded by the India Book of Records.

Notably, the team had given a new lease of life to a 56-year-old woman by surgically removing a 47 kg tumour—the biggest non-ovarian tumour successfully removed in India so far. The woman, a government employee and a resident of Devgadh Baria, had been carrying the tumour for 18 years.

Apart from the tumour, the team of eight doctors, including four surgeons, also removed abdominal wall tissues and excess skin weighing around 7 kg during the surgery on January 27. Following the surgery, the bodyweight of the woman dropped to 49 kg. As she could not stand straight, her body weight before the surgery could not be measured.

The team comprised of onco-surgeon Dr Nitin Singhal, anaesthetist Dr Ankit Chauhan, general surgeon Dr Swati Upadhyay and critical care specialist Dr Jay Kothari.

Following the surgery, a claim was registered with the India Book of Records. It was thoroughly scrutinised by a team from the India Book of Records after which a post-attempt felicitation and final approval have been provided. Notably, the feat has been registered under the ‘Strange but True’ category of the India Book of Records.

Reacting to the development, Dr Chirag Desai said, “It was a high-risk surgery as the woman’s internal organs such as liver, heart, lungs, kidneys and uterus were displaced because of the pressure created by the tumour in the abdomen. Getting a CT scan done was also difficult as the size of the tumour obstructed the gantry of the CT scan machine.”

“However, we are happy that despite all the odds against us, we could successfully carry out the complicated surgery and provide a new life to the patient. The recognition and praise that followed is icing on the cake,” he added.

About Apollo Hospitals:

It was in 1983, that Dr Prathap C Reddy made a pioneering endeavour by launching India’s first corporate hospital - Apollo Hospitals in Chennai.

Now, as Asia’s foremost trusted integrated healthcare group, its presence includes over 12,000 beds across 72 Hospitals and 4100 pharmacies, over 120 Primary Care clinics and 650 Diagnostic centres, 700 plus Teleclinics, over 15 medical education centres and a Research Foundation with a focus on global Clinical Trials. The most recent investment was the commissioning of South East Asia’s very first Proton Therapy Centre in Chennai.

Every four days, the Apollo Hospitals Group touches a million lives, in its mission to bring healthcare of international standards within the reach of every individual. In a rare honour, the Government of India had issued a commemorative stamp in recognition of Apollo's contribution, the first for a healthcare organization. Apollo Hospitals Chairman, Dr Prathap C Reddy, was conferred with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan in 2010.

For 38 years, the Apollo Hospitals Group has continuously excelled and maintained leadership in medical innovation, world-class clinical services and cutting-edge technology. Its hospitals are consistently ranked amongst the best hospitals in the country for advanced medical services.