Madagascar Man Finds Relief for Excruciating Abdominal Pain at Masina Hospital, Byculla, Mumbai

After suffering abdominal pain for over two months following a fall from bed, an elderly patient was diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm and underwent a life-saving stent procedure

Mumbai: A team of Dr Abhijeet Soni and Dr. Ashank Bansal, Vascular Interventional Radiologists, successfully treated a 70-year-old man from Madagascar who developed abdominal pain after falling from bed. The fall led to the timely diagnosis of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a life-threatening condition linked to his chronic smoking. To swiftly repair the aneurysm, doctors performed a cutting-edge, minimally invasive stent graft procedure, ensuring a quick recovery and lasting pain relief for the patient.

Patient Mr Firdoche Houssen, a resident of Madagascar, South Africa, endured excruciating abdominal pain for over two months after falling from the bed, turning even the simplest daily tasks into a struggle. Each day was a battle against constant discomfort, as he was diagnosed with a life-threatening abdominal aortic aneurysm. With no access to advanced medical treatment in his home country, fear and uncertainty loomed over him and his family. Desperate for a chance at survival, they made the courageous decision to seek help in India. Upon arrival in India, with the reference of Dr Zainulabedin Hamdulay, he received timely treatment provided by Dr Ashank Bansal.

Dr Ashank Bansal, Vascular Interventional Radiologist said, “This patient came to me with a history of smoking severe abdominal pain on February 25. His CT abdomen angiography confirmed an abdominal aortic aneurysm  (AAA),   a bulge in the part of your aorta that runs through the belly. This can lead to complications, such as rupture and bleeding, which could be fatal. An aortic aneurysm can be caused by high blood pressure, smoking, genetics, and atherosclerosis, which involves the narrowing and inflammation of the arteries. Given his history of smoking, it is likely that smoking played a role in his case. Common symptoms of aortic aneurysm are severe abdominal or back pain, but unfortunately, many people don’t experience symptoms until it’s too late. That’s why timely detection and treatment are crucial. The location of the aneurysm was just below the renal arteries, and the stent graft in the Cath lab allowed accurate placement without damage to the renal arteries. Open surgery would have involved a large scar and caused blood loss, plus multiple days of hospital stay. The patient was posted for a stent grafting procedure on March 3.”

Dr Ashank Bansal added, “Stent grafting for abdominal aortic aneurysm is a good alternative to open aortic repair. In this patient’s case, a stent graft procedure was performed, a minimally invasive technique used to repair the aneurysm without requiring open surgery.  It involves inserting a small device of 1cm through the artery to reinforce the weak section of the aorta, restoring proper blood flow and preventing the aneurysm from growing or rupturing. The procedure is safe and precise and minimizes the risk of complications such as blood loss while also reducing the chances of morbidity. The recovery time is much faster than traditional surgery, and the hospital stay is minimal.  He was mobilized the next day and is doing well without having to undergo surgery. The uneventful procedure lasted for 2 hours, and the patient was discharged on March 5.  For patients like him, stent grafting offers a chance at life without the prolonged recovery or risks when compared to invasive procedures.”

“My father endured two months of suffering, and doctors in Madagascar advised seeking advanced treatment in India or Reunion. We chose India, and meeting Dr  Ashank Bansal and Dr Zainulabedin Hamdulay became a turning point in our journey. The procedure was quick, and his recovery exceeded our expectations. My father is doing well, and we are deeply grateful,” concluded Fatema Firdos Djaver, daughter of patient  Mr Firdoche Houssen.