Gleneagles Hospital doctors save Parel woman with rare food pipe rupture
Doctors at Gleneagles Hospital in Mumbai have successfully saved the life of a 70-year-old resident of Parel who suffered a rare and life-threatening rupture of her food pipe. The medical team utilized advanced endoscopic vacuum therapy combined with an innovative fat-grafting technique to treat the patient, allowing her to avoid major high-risk surgery.
The patient, Manjula Shah, was admitted to Gleneagles Hospital after developing severe chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and breathlessness following an episode of forceful vomiting. Medical investigations revealed a large perforation in her lower oesophagus, a condition known as Boerhaave syndrome. The tear had allowed food and infected material to leak into her chest cavity, triggering a serious infection.
According to Dr. Shankar Zanwar, Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist at Gleneagles Hospital, such tears are rare but highly dangerous because leaking food particles, saliva, and infected material can lead to severe chest infections. To manage the complex case, the hospital deployed a multidisciplinary team of gastroenterologists, physicians, intensivists, anaesthetists, and plastic surgeons.
While major surgery is the standard treatment for Boerhaave syndrome, the medical team opted for a less invasive approach due to Shah's age and the existing infection. They decided to perform Endoscopic Vacuum Therapy (EVT) to promote healing.
During the procedure, doctors endoscopically placed a specially designed vacuum-enabled tube at the site of the perforation. This system continuously removed infected fluids and stimulated the growth of healthy tissue. The vacuum system was replaced every three to four days, with the patient undergoing five to six treatment sessions over several weeks.
Although the cavity reduced significantly, a small residual opening remained. To close this final defect, the team harvested a small amount of fat tissue from Shah's thigh, processed it, and injected it into the remaining opening. Using her own tissue enhanced the healing process and eliminated the need for invasive surgery.
Shah was discharged in stable condition after spending nearly a month in the hospital. Her son, CA Bhavesh Shah, expressed gratitude for the patient care, noting that the family had not realized vomiting could lead to such a severe condition. Dr. Bipin Chevale, CEO of Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai, praised the collaborative care and medical innovation that led to the patient's recovery.
