The surgical team was led by Dr. Rajneesh Malhotra Vice Chairman & Head – CTVS, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, along with along with the team, who performed a robotic-assisted repair of the abnormal right subclavian artery — a key blood vessel responsible for supplying blood to the right arm.
Dr. Rajneesh Malhotra, Vice Chairman & Head – CTVS, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket said “The boy had been facing increasing difficulty in swallowing solid food and experienced a feeling of heaviness and choking after meals for nearly a year. When he arrived at Max Hospital, Saket he underwent a Barium Swallow Test, which showed that his food pipe (esophagus) was being compressed inside the chest. A more detailed CT aortogram confirmed the presence of an aberrant (abnormally positioned) right subclavian artery – a rare birth defect seen in less than 0.5% of the population. In this condition, instead of following its usual path, the artery grows in a way that it passes behind the food pipe, putting pressure on it and causing difficulty in swallowing, known medically as Dysphagia Lusoria.”
The surgical team decided to treat the condition using robot-assisted surgery, which allowed them to operate with more precision and minimal invasion. First, the abnormal artery in the chest was carefully separated and divided using robotic arms, which relieved the pressure on the food pipe.
Dr. Rajneesh further added “This was a very rare and challenging case. The abnormal artery was not only compressing the food pipe and causing severe difficulty in swallowing, but it also played a vital role in supplying blood to the right arm — which is especially crucial for a growing teenager. So, while we relieved the pressure on the esophagus by dividing the aberrant artery using robotic surgery, we also had to ensure that his right arm continued to receive proper blood flow. To achieve this, we created a new route for blood supply using a special graft to connect the neck and arm vessels. This innovative two-step approach allowed us to solve both issues in a single surgery — relieving the swallowing difficulty and safeguarding the arm's circulation.”
“The robotic-assisted surgery gave us the precision and control we needed for such a delicate procedure. The operation went smoothly, and the boy recovered very well, with complete resolution of his symptoms. He is now eating normally and has returned to his regular life.” Dr Malhotra further added.
The successful treatment showcases Max Hospital’s commitment to bringing advanced medical solutions and world-class expertise to treat even the rarest conditions
Social Plugin