TIL Desk Lucknow:
The Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at Medanta Lucknow, in collaboration with the Department of Anaesthesiology, successfully performed a ‘Bilateral Whole Lung Lavage’ procedure on a patient suffering from a rare lung disease. This highly complex and specialized procedure reflects the institution’s commitment to advanced and multidisciplinary healthcare services.
Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis is a rare lung disorder in which surfactant, a substance made up of proteins and fats, abnormally accumulates in the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs. This buildup obstructs the entry of air into the lungs, leading to severe breathing difficulties and persistent coughing.
The disease is usually suspected through radiological investigations, particularly the characteristic patterns seen on High-Resolution CT scans. Confirmation is achieved through bronchoalveolar lavage cytology, where the fluid obtained from the lungs appears milky in color. PAS staining of this fluid clearly demonstrates the presence of proteinaceous material, thereby confirming the diagnosis.
For symptomatic patients, ‘Whole Lung Lavage’ is considered the standard treatment for this condition. During this procedure, performed under general anaesthesia, the lungs are repeatedly washed with warm saline solution to remove the accumulated protein deposits, resulting in significant improvement in the patient’s breathing capacity.
This life-saving procedure was made possible through exceptional teamwork and collaboration among multiple departments. The procedure was successfully performed by Dr. Abhishek Tandon and Dr. Vipul Prakash under the leadership of Dr. Dileep Dubey, Director, Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine.
The role of the Anaesthesiology team was equally crucial in this complex procedure, with Dr. Ashish Khanna and Dr. Nishant Chaudhary skillfully managing the bilateral airway management.
The medical team also specially appreciated the contribution of physiotherapists and operation theatre technicians. Their meticulous preparation, technical support, and post-operative respiratory care played a vital role in ensuring the precision of the procedure and the patient’s safe recovery.
With this achievement, Medanta Lucknow has once again demonstrated that dedicated expertise and teamwork can deliver better outcomes in the treatment of complex and rare diseases.