From Saving a Life to Reclaiming Her Own: Manipal Hospital EM Bypass Restores Health of Liver Donor with Advanced Keyhole Hernia Surgery
Kolkata: Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, a unit of one of India’s leading healthcare networks, Manipal Hospitals Group, has successfully treated a large and complex incisional hernia in a 45-year-old woman from Agartala, Tripura, using advanced minimally invasive, keyhole surgery. The patient, Nupur Sarkar, a school teacher, underwent Laparoscopic Abdominal Wall Reconstruction under the care of Dr. Sumanta Dey, Senior Consultant and HOD – Robotic, Advanced Laparoscopic, Bariatric and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass.
Nupur’s journey of courage began three years ago when her husband was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and required a liver transplant. As the only suitable donor available at the time, she donated a part of her liver to save his life. While her husband recovered well and now leads a stable life, Nupur continued to manage her professional and household responsibilities with very little rest. Over time, she developed a large incisional hernia at the site of her earlier surgery, which gradually became complex and uncomfortable, affecting her daily life.
Concerned about undergoing another major open surgery, she began looking for a minimally invasive treatment options and travelled from Agartala to Kolkata for expert care. After a comprehensive evaluation, the surgical team at Manipal Hospital EM Bypass confirmed that despite the complexity of the hernia and her surgical history, it could be treated using advanced laparoscopic techniques.
In early December, the patient underwent Laparoscopic Abdominal Wall Reconstruction, a highly specialised procedure that lasted nearly three hours by Dr. Sumanta Dey supported by expert anaesthetists and a skilled OT team. The surgery was completed entirely through key-hole incisions, avoiding a large open cut and significantly reducing surgical trauma.
Speaking about the case, Dr. Sumanta Dey said, “the patient presented with a large, complex incisional hernia following previous major abdominal surgery, which always poses significant technical challenges. However, with advanced laparoscopic techniques, we were able to reconstruct the abdominal wall effectively while minimising surgical trauma. When she woke up from anesthesia, the first question she asked was, ‘Was it done laparoscopically?’ When we told her yes, the relief and joy on her face was incredibly rewarding. Moments like these are what give a surgeon true satisfaction.”
Her recovery after surgery was smooth and almost painless. She was able to start walking within four hours of the procedure and was discharged the next day. At her follow-up visit fifteen days later, she was in excellent health and had resumed her normal activities with renewed confidence.
Expressing her gratitude, Nupur Sarkar said, “After donating my liver to save my husband, I was emotionally and physically terrified of facing another surgery, especially an open one. I had already been through so much. From the moment I stepped into Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, the doctors didn’t just treat me, they reassured me and gave me courage. Knowing my surgery was done laparoscopic surgery, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my chest. I could walk the same day and return home the next. I will always be grateful to Dr. Sumanta Dey and the entire team for helping me heal with such care and compassion.”
This successful case highlights the growing role of advanced laparoscopic surgery in treating complex abdominal conditions, even in patients with a history of major surgeries, and reflects Manipal Hospital EM Bypass’s continued focus on patient-centric, minimally invasive, and high-quality surgical care.
