Lung transplant restores life for 16-year-old boy, marking a remarkable medical triumph at Medica Superspecialty Hospital

The indomitable human spirit coupled with relentless medical innovation has led to a remarkable breakthrough in healthcare at Medica Superspecialty Hospital. Swapnil Biswas, a 16-year-old boy from West Bengal, has become the first successful recipient of a lung transplant in Eastern India after he suffered from severe respiratory distress due to paraquat ingestion.

Paraquat, a commonly used herbicide, has a reputation for its fatal toxicity. Once ingested, its effects can be devastating, leading to acute lung injury that is often irreversible. Unfortunately, Swapnil fell victim to such an accident, causing irreversible damage to his lungs.

Despite persistent treatment, including 37 days on veno-venous ECMO support, Swapnil’s condition worsened. The medical team led by Dr. Kunal Sarkar and Dr. Dipanjan Chatterjee, had to resort to a lung transplant – an intricate procedure that is relatively rare in India due to a scarcity of organ donors.

However, Medica Superspecialty Hospital’s determined efforts, combined with the coordination of ROTTO (East), culminated in finding a matching donor at Bhubaneshwar’s SUM Ultimate Hospital. This swift action paved the way for the first successful lung transplant in Eastern India. Post-operation, Swapnil’s health shows promising improvement, and he is on the road to recovery.

This medical achievement, while transforming Swapnil’s life, also serves as an emblem of hope for countless patients waiting for organ transplants. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of organ donation, encouraging more individuals to contribute to this life-saving cause.