Raigarh Medical College gives new life to larynx cancer patient

RAIGARH: In a remarkable achievement, Raigarh Medical College of Chhattisgarh successfully treated a 33-year-old larynx cancer patient, restoring his voice through advanced surgical intervention.

The Late Lakhiram Aggarwal Memorial Government Medical College, affiliated with Sant Baba Guru Ghasidas Smriti Government Hospital, Raigarh, conducted the operation under the guidance of Dean Dr. Vineet Jain and Hospital Superintendent Dr. Manoj Kumar Minj.

The patient, Sushil Munda from Jashpur, had been battling persistent coughing for two years and had lost his voice for six months. After multiple unsuccessful treatments elsewhere, he sought help at Raigarh Medical College. Following detailed examinations, doctors diagnosed him with laryngeal cancer. Despite the condition typically requiring costly treatment in metropolitan hospitals, the college’s ENT specialists assured him that the procedure could be performed locally.

Under ENT Head Dr. Jaya Sahu, a multidisciplinary team prepared for the complex surgery. Surgeons Dr. Dinesh Patel, Dr. Neelam Nayak, Dr. Ayushi Singh, Dr. Anil Kumari, Dr. Swati Pawar, Dr. Ramesh Patel, Dr. Bhavesh Sahu, and Dr. Khushboo Patel collaborated with anesthesiologists Dr. A.M. Lakra and Dr. Jitendra Nayak from the Department of Medicine to execute the operation.

The surgery, known as Total Laryngectomy with Partial Pharyngectomy (TLPP), involved the removal of the larynx, windpipe, and the upper portion of the food pipe, followed by reconstruction. Post-operation, Sushil was kept in the ICU under the care of anesthesiology, medicine, dietetic, and nursing teams.

Speech therapists Kumari Vikaslata Lakra and Mrs. Srishti Mahashabde provided specialized therapy to help the patient regain his ability to speak. Today, Sushil has fully recovered and has been discharged.

The advanced operation, which would cost ₹5-6 lakh in private hospitals, was performed free of charge at Raigarh Medical College.