• 14-year-old Minnat from Tanzania was thin to the bones because whatever she ate would again revert to her throat and stay in the food pipe. 
  • A proper treatment was not available and doctors in her country only provided her with medications that supressed the symptoms but didn't cure the cause.
  • After suffering for three years, her unusual condition was finally diagnosed as Achalasia cardia by the doctors at Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru.
  • A rare muscle disorder, in achalasia cardia the muscles do not relax to let the food go down the stomach leading to problem in swallowing, heartburn and weightloss.  
  • Consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist, Dr. Rajvigna Venugopal decided to perform the minimally invasive procedure of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM).
  • The procedure ensures zero incisions and a blood loss of about 5ml.
  • Post the treatment, the teenager is steadily recovering.

 

Source: Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru