Kozhikode: A 63-year-old man from Kannur has undergone a rare and complex surgery at Aster MIMS Kozhikode, where doctors successfully removed both his kidneys, which had enlarged to a combined weight of 9.3 kg due to a genetic disorder. The surgery helped address a life-threatening condition that had put his health and the functioning of other vital organs at risk.
The patient was diagnosed with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD), a genetic condition characterised by the development of multiple fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys. He was admitted to the hospital with severe abdominal pain and other health complications, following which detailed medical investigations confirmed the condition.
While a normal adult kidney typically weighs between 120 and 150 grams, the patient’s right kidney weighed 4.2 kg and the left kidney 5.1 kg. The abnormal enlargement had placed considerable pressure on surrounding organs and posed a serious threat to his health, making surgical removal necessary.
Doctors performed a bilateral open nephrectomy, a procedure involving the surgical removal of both kidneys. The operation was particularly challenging as the enlarged organs were located close to major blood vessels in the abdomen. Removing them without damaging surrounding organs and blood vessels required careful surgical intervention, said Dr. Soordas Radhakrishnan, who led the medical team.
The surgical team comprised Dr. Soordas Radhakrishnan, Dr. Ravikumar Karunakaran, Dr. Abhay Anand, Dr. Alphonse Philip, Dr. Deepna and anaesthetist Dr. Mithun. The procedure involved close coordination between the hospital’s urology, nephrology and anaesthesia departments.
Dr. Gopinath Mampallikkalam, Chief Operating Officer of Aster MIMS Kozhikode, stated that the hospital was pleased to have identified the rare condition and successfully removed the enlarged kidneys, helping safeguard the patient’s life.
Following the surgery, the patient is undergoing dialysis on alternate days to compensate for the loss of kidney function. The medical team has recommended a kidney transplant as a more suitable long-term treatment option than continued dialysis.
Dialysis is a treatment that uses a machine to remove waste products, excess salts, and fluids from the blood when the kidneys can no longer perform these functions. A kidney transplant may provide an alternative to long-term dialysis, subject to the patient’s medical condition and suitability for the procedure.
The hospital management emphasized that the Aster MIMS remained committed to providing advanced medical treatment and specialist care, drawing on its 25-year history.
