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Dr. Arvinder Singh Soin: Miracle Worker

by SHASHANK SHEKHAR

 

 

 

The situation resembled a scene from famous TV drama series, Grey's Anatomy, where 40 doctors combine their medical genius to save the lives of three children. After toiling away for 20 laborious hours, they and 110 other medical and para-medical staff emerge from the six operation theatres victorious after the procedure was completed successfully. 

But this was no rehearsed scene from a television drama but played out in real life when three children were operated upon simultaneously for the world's first chain liver transplant operation at Medanta Liver Institute in Gurgaon.  

Only a month ago, toddlers Tejasree, Ansa and Anish were complete strangers. But, their destiny was intertwined, as all three of them needed a liver transplant for them to survive their life-threatening complications.

However, none of the three could receive a transplant from their respective family members and that's when they were brought together.

Explaining the three patients' complications, a doctor from the institute said that 22-month-old Ansa and one-year-old Anish suffered from biliary atresia while three-year-old Tejasree suffered from a rare genetic condition called Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), owing to which she could not digest any amino acids.

Tejasree's father said that she could not even consume milk and had to only drink milk that their relative would send from the U.S. that cost about Rs 50,000 ($ 1000.00) a month.

Medanta Institute Chairman, Dr. Arvinder Singh Soin explains: "Nowhere has anyone performed six simultaneous liver operations. This in itself is a record. All the six liver operations were linked to each other, which made it a Herculean, marathon task for us."

Liver Plant Surgeon Dr. Arvinder Singh, MBBS (AIIMS), MS (AIIMS), FRCS (Edin), FRCS (Glas), FRCS (Transplant Surgery)-Cambridge, has performed nearly 1000 liver transplants, more than any one else in the subcontinent. The liver transplantation team working under him at Medanta currently performs 25 live donor liver transplants every month with 95% success results; at par with the world's best liver transplantaion centres.

As a result, he receives referrals from other parts of the world as well.

He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2010 for his ground-breaking work.

Unique procedure
Explaining the link and domino liver transplant, Neelam Mohan, chief paediatric hepatologist at the Medanta Institute, said, "In a swap or donor liver exchange, Tejasree's father donated a portion of his liver to Ansa and saved her life. Ansa's father, Ajit Sajjad Mushi, donated a portion of his liver to Tejasree and gave her a new lease on life. The domino liver transplant happened in the case of Anish who did not have any suitable donor. After preliminary tests we realised that Tejashree's liver which was otherwise normal but not medically of any use to her could work wonders for Anish."

Parents of the three miracle patients are pleased at the success of the operation and say that the procedure was their last 'glimmer of hope' for their children.

The operation brought Tejasree's family from Gandhinagar in Gujarat and Ansa's family from Kashmir to Delhi. The surgery cost more than Rs 150,000 ($3000.00) for each child but the parents were satisfied.

"Before the surgery, Anish was admitted to the ICU four different times owing to heavy blood loss and even suffered a cardiac arrest. We were quite worried about the surgery but realised that this was the only way to help our child. Initially, we didn't know the other children and their families but now we are all one big family," said Ghaziabad resident Anuj Kakroo, Anish's father.

 

[Courtesy: Mid-Day, et al. Edited for sikhchic.com]

February 1, 2012

Conversation about this article

1: Baldev Singh (Bradford, United Kingdom), February 01, 2012, 12:40 PM.

So moving!

2: Harpreet Singh (Delhi, India), February 01, 2012, 1:10 PM.

Very refreshing news in this dark age of constant bad news, scams, corruption, etc. It shows how ordinary people and medical and other professionals can do wonders if they work united as well as honestly. My sincere wishes for all these and other patients. Proud of Dr. Arvinder Singh and his colleagues and may they continue to serve suffering humanity successfully. (Here I want to draw attention to the article by Ms. A. Kaur ji about spousal-abuse and useless quarrels at homes. Can members of families having such children even think of indulging in domestic quarrels and abuse? We must always be thankful and content with what Waheguru has given us and must turn our energy for the good of all, i.e., including our souses, or daughters-in-law.

3: Harinder (Uttar Pradesh, India), February 01, 2012, 1:52 PM.

We are proud of you, S. Arvinder Singh ji. Keep up your noble work.

4: Sangat Singh (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), February 01, 2012, 2:40 PM.

Dr. Arvinder Singh ji: there are no words to describe the gift Waheguru has bestowed upon you. Waheguru must be playfully watching you best described in the shabad: "ha-o gosai-i da pahilvanra/ mai gur mil uch dumalra/ sab hoi-i chhinjh ikth-a dayh-u balka vekhai ap jio" - "I am wrestler, I belong to the Lord of the world, I met with the Guru and I have tied a tall plumed turban. All have gathered to watch wrestling, and the merciful Lord Himself is seated to behold". Here is a script for a full-fledged film that would show the French idiots the value of the turban. The Guru's pat is on your back.

5: A. Bratch (England), February 02, 2012, 4:26 AM.

Keep up the good work, Doc. Your work is doing us proud. The very best for the future!

6: Amarjot Singh Narula, M.D. (Ridgewood, New Jersey, U.S.A. ), February 04, 2012, 1:21 PM.

Keep up the great work, Dr. Singh, and remain in chardi kalaa. This is what healing and seva should be all about.

7: Harvinder Singh Anand (Ahmedabad, India), February 18, 2012, 1:50 PM.

Today I read this piece and it has given me immense happiness to know that such able doctors are available here and are doing such incredible service. Dr. Arvinder Singh, please accept my heartiest congratulations - I pray to Waheguru to bless you a long life and good health. May He bless you with all happiness in life.

8: Shanmuganathan (India), August 26, 2015, 2:20 PM.

India is strengthened by dedicated Sikhs like you. Not many Indians will know how much sustained hard work you may have put through decades to achieve this name and fame.

9: Deepa Singh (Nepal), March 21, 2016, 1:52 AM.

You are a blessing. God bless you and your family. You have given happiness to mothers ... something that cannot be put in words.

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