Shillong: In a first-of-its-kind medical intervention in a govt district hospital in Meghalaya, doctors at Tura Civil Hospital in West Garo Hills have successfully performed a complex ‘limb-salvage’ surgery.The surgery involved the removal of a 30-cm section of the thigh bone and reconstruction of the knee with a mega-prosthesis.The procedure was conducted on a 58-year-old man who had been wheelchair-bound for several months after developing severe pain and swelling in his right knee.Investigations revealed a giant cell tumour of the distal femur — a benign but locally aggressive bone tumour. Doctors said the tumour had grown considerably before the patient sought treatment.The procedure involved removal of around 30 cm of the distal femur, followed by reconstruction using a mega-prosthesis and replacement of the knee joint.The patient is recovering well, with no complications reported so far, hospital sources said.The orthopaedic team was led by Dr C R Marak, Dr Adrian R Marak and Dr Sunny M Sangma, assisted by Dr Rikrak Ch Marak and Dr Checent R Marak.The anaesthesia team was led by Dr Stevie Jaseng N Sangma and Dr Khlur K Tariang, with support from the hospital’s operation theatre team.Hospital superintendent Dr Jeby A R K Marak and medical superintendent Dr Cynthia R Marak congratulated the surgical, anaesthesia and operation theatre teams, describing the procedure as a “significant step in expanding advanced orthopaedic care” at the district hospital.Hospital superintendent Dr Jeby A R K Marak and medical superintendent Dr Cynthia R Marak congratulated the surgical, anaesthesia and operation theatre teams, describing the procedure as a “significant step in expanding advanced orthopaedic care” at the district hospital.“The surgery also highlights the growing capacity of Tura Civil Hospital to undertake complex procedures locally, potentially reducing the need for patients from Garo Hills to travel outside Meghalaya for specialised treatment,” an official statement stated.
