DTMT Network

Doctors at a Mumbai hospital gave a new lease of life to a 12-year-old boy, who had Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), by carrying out laparoscopic fundoplication surgery.

After undergoing surgery, the boy has been able to get rid of acid reflux and has resumed his daily routine.

Omkar Santosh Devmore, a 12-year-old boy from Ichalkaranji, Kohlapur district of Maharashtra couldn’t digest food even during his early childhood days. His family consulted various medicos who diagnosed him with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or chronic acid reflux) wherein the contents from the stomach move back up into your esophagus.

The problem became grave as Omkar turned 12. He couldn’t eat, sleep or focus on his studies as he was continuously vomiting.

He went to multiple doctors but couldn’t find any relief. After undergoing endoscopy, he came to know that he has a pre-malignant condition called Barrett's esophagus which is a serious complication of acid reflux and causes changes in the cells lining your esophagus (food tube). However, the patient was referred to Zen Multispecialty Hospital, wherein he got a fresh lease of life.

Dr Roy Patankar, Gastroenterologist and Director of Zen Multispecialty Hospital, Chembur, Mumbai, said, “On arrival in an emergency, he was vomiting, lost weight, and was on heavy medication.We repeated the endoscopy to see whether the pre-malignant condition had worsened.”

“Other tests were also performed to confirm that there was no other cause of vomiting. An esophageal manometry test was done to check whether the esophagus is working properly and measures the pressures of the food pipe. After discussing with the patient’s parents, he was scheduled to undergo surgery in December,” he added.

Dr Patankar added, “The patient successfully underwent laparoscopic fundoplication surgery, the stomach had entered the chest through a hole in the diaphragm. So, the stomach was brought down to the normal position, the hole in the diaphragm was closed with the appropriate size, and made the anti-reflux wall by stitching the stomach around the food pipe.”

“This procedure will prevent him from vomiting and also his refluxes. As with time, Barrett's esophagus will also go away. The surgery lasted for 2 hours. Not treating him at the right time could have led to weight loss, dehydration, and Barrett's esophagus problem could have worsened causing cancer,” Dr Patankar said.

“After getting discharged, he was asked to avoid fried food and meat for a month. On follow-up, the patient has gained 3 kilos of weight, had no episodes of vomiting, and doesn’t require any medication. He is asked to come for an endoscopy after a year,” he explained.

The acid reflux problem is on the rise in the general population and the cause behind it is not clear. The symptoms are bloating, burping, sore throat, hoarseness, unintentional weight loss, vomiting, dysphagia, and wheezing.

“This problem and surgery are unusual in children. In the last 25 years, I have treated only 5 children below the age of 12,” Dr Patankar said.