Large ASD also detected for the first time in the girl

Complex surgery performed at Kondapur KIMS Hospital

A 15-year-old tribal girl from Khammam district was diagnosed with a rare tumor located between her heart and lungs. Additionally, a large hole (Atrial Septal Defect, ASD) in the wall separating the chambers of her heart was also discovered. Struggling with these two severe conditions, she underwent a complex surgery performed by Dr. Nisarga, Chief Cardiothoracic Surgeon, and Dr. C. Rohan Reddy, Consultant Minimal Invasive Onco-Thoracic Surgeon, at Kondapur KIMS Hospital, saving her life.

Providing details, the doctors said:

“The girl, the daughter of daily wage laborers in Khammam district, had congenital heart problems, including a significant ASD, which went unnoticed due to her parents’ lack of awareness and literacy. When she began experiencing breathlessness, she was taken to local doctors, who referred her to KIMS Hospital. Upon examination, she was found to have a mediastinal teratoma, a rare tumor situated in a complex location between the lungs and in front of the heart. It was also at KIMS that the previously undiagnosed ASD was detected. The hole in the heart could cause mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, leading to severe complications in circulation.

We first performed surgery to remove the teratoma with limited incisions. The tumor had already invaded the heart’s outer layer (pericardium) and partially adhered to the lungs. Teratomas, congenital in nature, often spread further into organs like the lungs over time. In this case, the tumor had extended to the left side of the chest cavity, pressing on critical nerves and blood vessels. Its complete removal required excising a small portion of the lungs. Fortunately, this did not affect lung function. The hole in the heart was causing mixing of pure and impure blood. ASD surgical closure was done after stopping the heart and connecting to a cardiopulmonary bypass machine. Using the heart’s outer layer, we repaired the large ASD.

With the support of pediatric critical care specialists and physiotherapists, the girl recovered swiftly and was discharged just within five days after surgery. Teratomas, also known as germ cell tumors. The present tumor had plenty of granular contents, including hair and cartilage material, with a thick shell like membrane. Although generally localized, some may spread aggressively, making their removal challenging. These surgeries demand exceptional skill and advanced facilities.