Chennai, March 4, 2025: In a rare medical achievement, a team of doctors at SRM Global Hospitals successfully performed a complex surgical procedure called thoracoscopic meshplasty on a three-day-old baby diagnosed with congenital left diaphragmatic hernia. Following a successful minimally invasive thoracascopic surgery, the baby made a full recovery and was discharged within a week.

A routine scan during pregnancy revealed a deformity in the diaphragm of the baby—a membrane separating the chest cavity from the abdomen. A birth defect where a hole in the diaphragm allows abdominal organs, (stomach, intestines, liver), move into the chest, compressing the lungs and heart, making it difficult for the baby to breathe. As a result, the child was born with only one lung, which was underdeveloped and compromised in function.

Understanding the critical nature of the condition, Dr. M. Saravana Balaji and Dr. N. Prathiba, pediatric surgeons at SRM Global Hospitals, meticulously planned a life-saving surgery to be performed as soon as the baby was stabilized after birth. Dr. Prithiv Raj oversaw the delivery and ensured immediate intubation, while Dr. C. Ashok managed neonatal ICU stabilization.

On the third day of life, the baby underwent thoracoscopic meshplasty. The anesthesia team, led by Dr. Varun Chellapandi and Dr. Priyadharshini Sampath, played a crucial role in ensuring the infant’s safety throughout the procedure.

The minimally invasive surgery involved making a small incision to push the displaced abdominal organs back into the abdomen. A surgical mesh was then used to reinforce the diaphragm, allowing the chest organs to develop properly. The baby recovered well and was discharged in a stable condition within a week.

Dr. P. Sathyanarayanan, President of SRM Group, lauded the doctors, stating, “Advancements in diagnostics, critical care, and minimally invasive surgery have made complex neonatal surgeries like this possible. The seamless coordination between our antenatal, neonatal, and surgical teams played a pivotal role in achieving this successful outcome. At the end of the day, we are glad and happy to have helped the child to go on and lead a normal life.”

Dr. Saravana Balaji and Dr. Prathiba added, “Successfully performing thoracoscopic meshplasty on a newborn with such a large defect is a significant achievement. This minimally invasive approach allowed us to repair the diaphragm with minimal disruption, ensuring better recovery. The baby’s remarkable progress underscores the effectiveness of this well planned team work.”