Doctors of Government Vellore Medical College Hospital (GVMCH), Adukkamparai have performed tonsillectomy on an 11-year-old boy with “Kartagener’s Syndrome”. In this syndrome, the vital organs are transposed like a mirror image to the normal positions.
The family of Ajit, a resident of Vellore, had approached GVMCH doctors recently after he found it difficult to swallow food, had frequent bouts of cold and cough and sinusitis.
Rare condition
'“We found that the boy had tonsil measuring for around four cms. This was making it difficult for him to eat and swallow food. Detailed investigation revealed he had a rare condition of ‘Kartagener’s Syndrome’ that is his heart was on the right side, while stomach and liver was on the left side,” R. Madanagopal, professor and head, Department of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), GVMCH said.
This condition occurred in one in 40,000 babies, he said, adding the children eventually experienced fast heart beat, difficulty in walking fast or regular work, had frequent cold, urinary infection, lung infection and poor growth.
“Such children fail to live long, and it is difficult to operate on them. But Ajit needed a tonsillectomy as he was finding it difficult to eat,” he said.
Investigations
We carried out a detailed investigation and analysed his case for a week. We also consulted many doctors before we operated on him, he added.
After consulting with Usha Sadasivam, GVMCH Dean, a team led by Dr. Madanagopal performed tonsillectomy on Ajit three weeks ago.
“The boy has recovered and is doing well. Performing tonsillectomy for a person with Kartagener’s Syndrome is a rare case,” he added.
