Vadodara: When 58-year-old Ratanben Parmar from Atladara first reached GMERS Medical College and Hospital, Gotri, on July 22, she had been battling abdominal pain for nearly two weeks, along with intermittent fever and weight loss. Investigations, however, revealed a far more serious problem—a malignant tumour had developed in the right lobe of her liver.With her serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level soaring to 3,616 ng/ml, far above the normal adult level of generally below 10 ng/ml, doctors recommended a major liver resection. AFP is a tumour marker that can rise significantly in liver cancer, although elevated levels can also occur in other liver conditions.On Aug 22, Parmar underwent an eight-hour marathon surgery in which the entire right lobe of her liver was removed, marking the first liver resection performed at GMERS Gotri.The resected right lobe weighed approximately 1.93kg and measured around 18×16×6 centimetres. The specimen has been sent for histopathological examination to determine the next course of treatment. During the lengthy procedure, the patient required six units of packed red blood cells, six units of fresh frozen plasma and three units of platelets.The complex procedure was carried out by oncosurgeon Dr Animesh Raj, who provides services at GMERS Gotri under the CM SETU scheme, along with Dr Ankit Rathwa, associate professor.Given the complexity and duration of the operation, the patient required six units of packed red blood cells, six units of fresh frozen plasma and three units of platelets.Dr Anup Chandnani, medical superintendent of GMERS Gotri, said the procedure represents a notable expansion of the hospital’s surgical capabilities. “The liver resection was rightly indicated for the cancer of the liver and the surgical management was done well. The patient will now undergo further management based on the biopsy report and her clinical condition”, he said.Following the surgery, Parmar is being closely monitored in the surgical ICU. Her postoperative care is being jointly managed by the surgical, anaesthesia and critical-care teams.The successful procedure also highlights the expanding range of specialist services available at GMERS Gotri through the CM SETU scheme. The hospital now has visiting consultants in specialties including rheumatology, nephrology, adult and paediatric cardiology, paediatric surgery, paediatric orthopaedics and corneal-retinal surgery.The first liver resection at GMERS Gotri is being seen as an important step in strengthening the hospital’s capacity to provide advanced cancer surgery locally.
