Madagascar Elderly Undergoes Life-Saving Stent Procedure For Aortic Aneurysm Caused By Chronic Smoking At Byculla’s Masina Hospital

Mumbai: A senior citizen from Madagascar, who was diagnosed with a life-threatening bulge in the aorta after a simple fall from the bed, underwent a life-saving stent procedure at Mumbai hospital.

The patient suffered from abdominal pain for over two months following the fall and was later diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which according to the doctors was caused due to chronic smoking.

Firdoche Houssen, a resident of Madagascar, 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, he was diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a life-threatening condition linked to his chronic smoking in which a bulge in the main artery carrying blood from the heart to the stomach becomes weakened. 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.

An aortic aneurysm can be caused by high blood pressure, smoking, genetics, and atherosclerosis, which involves the narrowing and inflammation of the arteries. This bulge in the aorta can lead to complications, such as rupture and bleeding, which could be fatal. Common symptoms of aortic aneurysm are severe abdominal or back pain, but according to experts, many people don’t experience symptoms until it’s very late.

Stent Graft | File Photo

The patient was operated on through the stent graft procedure, 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 said to be a safer option for surgery as it minimizes the risk of complications such as blood loss while also reducing the chances of morbidity. The procedure lasted for two hours and the patient was discharged on March 5 within three days of the procedure.

Dr Ashank Bansal, vascular interventional radiologist at Masina Hospital located in Byculla said, “Given his history of smoking, it is likely that smoking played a role in his case. 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.”

Fatema Firdos Djaver, daughter of the patient, said, “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.”