KIMS Hospitals, Kondapur, has successfully treated an exceptionally rare and complex case of chronic jaundice that had been declared inoperable by leading centres in India and abroad. After eight years of relentless suffering, the patient achieved permanent relief, marking a significant milestone in advanced hepatopancreatobiliary care.
A Long and Difficult Medical Journey
Sharing the details, Dr. Ravula Phani Krishna, Senior Consultant Surgical Gastroenterologist and Liver–Pancreas Specialist at KIMS Kondapur, explained that the patient had exhausted all available treatment options before approaching KIMS as a last resort.
As per the press release, the patient, a 30-year-old software professional from Hyderabad, was diagnosed eight years ago with a rare, slow-growing pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour. Gradually, the tumour compressed the bile duct, resulting in persistent obstructive jaundice. Consequently, he suffered from recurrent vomiting, severe indigestion, intense itching, repeated infections, and frequent hospitalisations, all of which severely impaired his quality of life.
Why the Case Was Considered Inoperable
Adding to the complexity, the tumour had encased the portal vein—the main blood vessel supplying the intestines. As a result, the patient developed severe portal hypertension along with multiple fragile collateral blood vessels. Due to the extremely high risk of catastrophic bleeding, several hospitals deemed the condition inoperable.
For nearly seven years, the patient relied on metallic biliary stents to temporarily relieve jaundice. However, since each stent lasted only five to six months, he underwent more than 24 ERCP procedures without lasting benefit. Despite spending several lakhs of rupees, his condition continued to worsen.
International Consultation and Return to India
In search of a definitive solution, the patient travelled to Heidelberg, Germany, a global hub for pancreatic surgery. There, doctors advised a high-risk operation costing approximately ₹1.5 crore and carrying a 20% mortality risk. Unable to proceed, he returned to India and approached KIMS Kondapur in a critical state, with bilirubin levels of 28 mg% and persistent fever.
A Carefully Planned Two-Stage Surgical Strategy
After a comprehensive evaluation, Dr. Phani Krishna and his multidisciplinary team designed a meticulous two-stage surgical plan. Initially, they performed Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage (PTBD) to control jaundice and stabilise the patient.
Subsequently, in the first stage of surgery, the team carried out an extremely complex shunt procedure that diverted intestinal blood flow to a renal vein. This step significantly reduced portal hypertension and caused the dangerously dilated collateral vessels to shrink, thereby making definitive surgery feasible.
A Marathon Surgery with Remarkable Precision
In the second stage, the team undertook a marathon surgery lasting nearly 10 hours to permanently relieve both bile duct and intestinal obstructions. Notably, the surgeons completed this highly advanced procedure with minimal blood loss—a rare achievement in such complex cases and a major milestone in hepatopancreatobiliary surgery.
Complete Recovery and Return to Normal Life
Following surgery, the patient recovered smoothly without any post-operative complications. Within six months, he returned to his IT job and has since been leading a normal, healthy life, completely free from jaundice after eight long years.
Redefining Possibilities in Complex Care
“This case clearly shows that conditions once considered untreatable can be successfully managed in India through meticulous planning, multidisciplinary expertise, and perseverance,” Dr. Phani Krishna said. He added that such outcomes reinforce KIMS Kondapur’s commitment to delivering world-class care for even the most challenging and high-risk cases.