Little Boy from Alipurduar Makes Miraculous Recovery After Major Lung Surgery at Manipal Hospital Mukundapur
Kolkata: A five-year-old boy from Alipurduar, Arya Saha (name changed), has made a miraculous recovery after undergoing a complex lung surgery at Manipal Hospital, Mukundapur, one of the units of India’s leading healthcare network, Manipal Hospitals Group. Arya was treated for a massive right-sided pleural empyema — a life-threatening condition marked by the accumulation of pus between the lungs and chest wall.
The case was managed under the expert supervision of Dr. Subhasis Saha, Consultant – Paediatric Surgery and Dr. Sayantan Bhowmick, Associate Consultant – Paediatric Pulmonology, at Manipal Hospital Mukundapur.
Arya had been suffering from high fever and severe breathing difficulties for nearly a week before being admitted to a local hospital in North Bengal. As his condition worsened, he was referred to Manipal Hospital Mukundapur for specialized paediatric care. Upon admission, Arya was in severe respiratory distress due to the infected fluid compressing his right lung. After rapid stabilization, doctors performed an early Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) — a minimally invasive procedure to drain the pus and help the lung expand.
Post-surgery, Arya required mechanical ventilation for ten days as his right lung initially failed to re-expand and developed a pneumothorax (air leak). Under the close monitoring of the Paediatric Intensive Care team, led by Dr. Saumen Meur, Senior Consultant, and Dr. Monideepa Dutta, Consultant – Paediatric Intensive Care, a combination of lung-protective ventilation, infection control, and physiotherapy was applied. Gradually, Arya’s lung expanded, the air leak resolved, and he was successfully weaned off the ventilator and discharged in excellent health.
Dr. Subhasis Saha, Consultant – Paediatric Surgery, said, “Empyema in children can progress rapidly and become life-threatening if not treated in time. In Arya’s case, early minimally invasive VATS surgery was crucial to remove the infection and allow lung expansion. Paediatric surgery requires precision, empathy, and strong communication with families. Seeing Arya recover, smile, and return to his playful self after such a critical phase is truly rewarding.”
Dr. Sayantan Bhowmick, Associate Consultant – Paediatric Pulmonology, added,
“When a child arrives with such a severe lung infection, every minute counts. Arya’s lungs were filled with pus, making breathing nearly impossible. Through timely surgery, structured physiotherapy, and meticulous ventilatory management, we could support his lung’s healing process. This case reinforces how teamwork and timely intervention can save lives.”
Arya’s mother expressed her gratitude, saying, “Watching my little boy struggle to breathe was terrifying. When we came to Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, the doctors gave us hope. They explained every step, treated Arya with care, and never gave up. Today, he’s healthy, smiling, and full of energy — we owe his life to the entire team.”
This success story is a testament to Manipal Hospital Mukundapur’s excellence in paediatric respiratory and critical care, where close coordination among paediatric surgery, pulmonology, and intensive care teams ensures the best outcomes even in the most complex cases.
