A multidisciplinary team of doctors at Zen Multi Specialty Hospital, led by Dr. Roy Patankar—Gastroenterologist, GI, and Robotic Surgeon—successfully performed a complex surgery that restored a 20-year-old boy’s ability to eat, swallow, and breathe. The boy, Tauhid Khan, suffered for two years following a freak accident, enduring multiple failed treatments and severe health complications. Today, he is on the road to recovery.
Tragic Accident Turns into Life-Threatening Ordeal
In December 2022, 18-year-old Tauhid Khan from Mahal near Nagpur was riding his bike when tragedy struck. A bamboo pole fell off a moving truck and pierced his neck, puncturing his esophagus. Though initially treated in Nagpur, he developed empyema—a serious lung infection. Surgeons attempted to close the esophageal hole and inserted an endoscopic stent, but neither procedure worked.
Soon, Tauhid developed a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF)—an abnormal connection between the food pipe and windpipe. Every time he swallowed, saliva leaked into his lungs, triggering constant coughing and breathlessness. Despite undergoing lung decortication and chest tube placement, his condition only worsened.
A Year of Suffering with No Relief
Throughout 2023, Tauhid relied on a spittoon to spit out saliva as he couldn’t swallow even that. He and his family visited several hospitals, including some in Mumbai, but no one could offer a solution. Meanwhile, his health rapidly declined. By October 2024, when he arrived at Zen Multi Specialty Hospital, his weight had dropped from 60 kg to 33 kg. He was battling sepsis, suffering from poor lung function, and could barely walk 10 meters.
Feeding Tube Offers Hope as Condition Stabilizes
As per the press release, Dr. Roy Patankar and his team conducted a repeat endoscopy, confirming the presence of a persistent TEF. To improve Tauhid’s nutrition and prepare him for surgery, they placed a feeding tube in his small intestine through a procedure called feeding jejunostomy.
“This allowed us to deliver essential nutrients and medicines directly into his proximal jejunum,” explained Dr. Patankar. “Over six months, his strength improved, and he gained weight—from 33 kg to 40 kg.”
Eight-Hour Complex Surgery Restores Normal Function
In March 2025, the medical team performed a high-risk, eight-hour surgery to close the holes in Tauhid’s trachea and esophagus. They used the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) neck muscle—detached with its blood supply—to create a barrier between the windpipe and food pipe, preventing future infections.
“All major neck blood vessels were preserved,” said Dr. Patankar. “The surgery was successful, and Tauhid was kept on a ventilator for five days. He stabilized well and was recently discharged.”
Now, Tauhid is able to swallow food orally. His feeding tube will be removed soon, and he will transition to solid foods. The life-saving procedure was performed free of cost.
Teamwork and Determination Make the Impossible Possible
Dr. Tanveer Majeed, Oncosurgeon at Zen Hospital, remarked, “This case exemplifies resilience and expert collaboration. We are proud to have given this young man a fresh start.”
Tauhid’s father, Naseem Khan, a daily wage worker, shared the family’s emotional struggle. “We were heartbroken watching him cry because he couldn’t eat. Several hospitals refused surgery due to his low weight. But Dr. Roy and his team didn’t give up. They gave my son his life back.”
This extraordinary story highlights the power of skilled medical intervention, timely care, and unwavering hope in the face of overwhelming odds.