Doctors at Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences perform rare heart surgery on 30-year-old patient

Itanagar: Doctors at the lone medical college hospital in Arunachal Pradesh successfully conducted a rare surgery, as they closed a congenital hole in the heart of a 30-year-old female patient, officials said on Friday. 

Cardiologists of the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) near here performed the first closure of the Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) of the patient under local anesthesia, on Thursday.

The surgery was performed percutaneously (through the skin) by Dr Rinchin Dorjee Megeji and Dr Tony Ete along with a team of nurses.

The ASD is an opening or hole in the wall (septum) that separates the top two chambers of the heart. The opening is present at birth, but later the septum grows and seals the opening. However, in a few cases it does not get sealed, resulting in an increase in the workload on one side of the heart and excessive blood flow to the lungs.

“We are grateful to Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Health Minister Alo Libang, Health & Family Welfare Principal Secretary, and TRIHMS Director Dr Moji Jini for pushing us every day to go to greater heights,” Ete added.

The chief minister congratulated the team of doctors and other staff of TRIHMS for the rare feat.

“Heartiest congratulations to Dr Rinchin Dorjee Megeji, Dr Tony Ete and the entire cardio team of @TrihmsOfficial for successfully carrying out the first closure of atrial septal defect – a hole inside the heart – percutaneously in a 30-yr-old female in local anaesthesia. Proud moment, indeed! Best wishes for the future!” Khandu posted on X, formerly Twitter.