Jamshedpur: Over 400 gallstones removed from five-year-old child in rare surgery

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, October 26: In rare medical case, more than 400 stones were removed from the gall bladder of a five-year-old child. The surgery, performed at Ganga Memorial Hospital on Mango-Dimna Road, left even the experienced doctors astonished, as such cases were extremely rare.

Dr. Nagendra Singh, a surgeon with 35 years of experience, stated that he has encountered only four similar cases throughout his career, including two involving patients as young as two years old. The patient, Ankush Shyan, a resident of Baharagora, had been suffering from persistent stomach pain for about a year. Initially, his parents consulted local doctors who prescribed medications, providing temporary relief. However, the pain would recur within days, leading to increasing distress.

Eventually, when Ankush’s pain became unbearable, he was taken to Ganga Memorial Hospital for further evaluation. Tests revealed the presence of gallstones, shocking both the family and medical staff, as the occurrence of gallstones in such young children is highly unusual.

The surgery revealed over 400 stones in Ankush’s gall bladder, prompting further discussion about the causes of gallstones in children. Dr. Singh explained that while the exact reasons remain unclear, factors such as improper maternal diet during pregnancy, frequent infections, excessive stress, and the use of contraceptive pills could potentially contribute to this condition. Typically, gallstones were more common in individuals aged 20 to 40 years.

Dr. Singh performed the surgery using a laparoscopic technique, which was more complex. The procedure involved introducing gas into the patient’s abdomen to facilitate the operation, requiring careful management to avoid complications, such as affecting the lungs due to prolonged gas retention