Dr. Mehta’s Hospitals Successfully Performs Emergency Laparoscopic Surgery in High-Risk Septic Patient with Impending Bowel Strangulation
Chennai : Dr. Nabeel Nazeer, Advanced Laparoscopic and Robotic GI Surgeon, and his team at Dr. Mehta’s Hospitals, Velappanchavadi, successfully managed a critically ill, high-risk patient who presented with severe small bowel obstruction, sepsis, and impending bowel strangulation through an emergency minimally invasive surgical approach. The 54-year-old patient from Chennai presented in a significantly compromised clinical condition after having sought medical attention at multiple centres. Owing to the complexity of the condition and the considerable operative risk, the patient had not undergone definitive surgical treatment elsewhere before presenting to Dr. Mehta’s Hospitals.
The patient had significant medical comorbidities, including a previous cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and was on ongoing antiplatelet therapy. Importantly, the patient had taken the antiplatelet medication even on the day of presentation. For many elective surgical procedures, such medications may need to be withheld for an appropriate period before surgery, depending on the specific medication and the patient’s cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk. In this case, however, there was no safe opportunity to delay surgery. The combination of severe bowel obstruction, sepsis, and impending strangulation meant that postponing intervention could have resulted in irreversible bowel ischemia, perforation, and other potentially life-threatening complications.
Following rapid assessment, resuscitation, and appropriate investigations, the surgical team at Dr. Mehta’s Hospitals determined that immediate operative intervention was necessary despite the increased perioperative bleeding and medical risks. Given the complexity of the case, the patient’s medical condition, and concern regarding compromised bowel viability, conventional open surgery would have been a consideration. However, Dr. Nabeel Nazeer, Deputy Head, Department of Minimal Access & General Surgery, Dr. Mehta’s Hospitals, elected to undertake the emergency procedure laparoscopically.
Despite the challenging clinical circumstances, the procedure was performed on July 7th, 2026, the entire procedure was completed successfully using a minimally invasive approach, without the need for conversion to open surgery. The bowel was carefully assessed and managed appropriately, while the laparoscopic approach helped minimise surgical trauma in an already high-risk patient. The patient subsequently made an uneventful postoperative recovery and was discharged in stable condition on the second postoperative day.
“This was a particularly challenging emergency because we were dealing simultaneously with sepsis, impending bowel strangulation, significant medical comorbidities, and ongoing antiplatelet therapy. The patient had taken his antiplatelet medication even on the day of surgery, and the clinical situation did not permit us the luxury of waiting. The risk of delaying surgery and allowing bowel ischemia or strangulation to progress outweighed the operative risks. Despite these challenges, we were able to complete the procedure laparoscopically. Rapid decision-making, careful surgical planning, appropriate anaesthetic support, and coordinated perioperative care were important in achieving a favourable outcome,” said Dr. Nabeel Nazeer.
The patient came for a follow-up consultation with the doctor and had no complications. He has made a complete recovery and is doing well. The successful management of this complex emergency also reflects Dr. Mehta’s Hospitals continued focus on advanced minimally invasive surgery, hernia surgery, and abdominal wall reconstruction.
The case highlights how timely clinical decision-making and advanced laparoscopic expertise can enable minimally invasive treatment even in selected high-risk surgical emergencies, where delaying intervention may have life-threatening consequences.
