Patient dies during live surgery workshop at AIIMS

New Delhi: A 62-year-old patient died on July 31 when he was being operated upon by a Japanese surgeon as part of a live surgery workshop at AIIMS following complication that arose during the surgery.

Shobha Ram, who had been suffering from liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, was selected by doctors for demonstration of laparoscopic liver resection.

Ram who had developed liver cirrhosis after a hepatitis B infection was referred to AIIMS from Delhi Government-run G B Pant Hospital.

The surgery, which started at 9 am on July 31, was being broadcast live to a few surgeons.

It was being performed by Dr Goro Honda from Japan's Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center. Honda continued with the laparoscopic technique for almost seven hours, following which there was an excessive bleeding and the patient had to be shifted to ICU where he died within an-hour-and-a-half.

According to a statement issued by AIIMS, "The patient, Shobha Ram, had cirrhosis of the liver due to hepatitis B virus infection and a liver cancer. The patient had a detailed preoperative assessment for feasibility of removing the tumour surgically. He was planned for a laparoscopic surgical resection by a very renowned and experienced GI surgeon."

"During the course of the surgery there was bleeding, which is a known complication of the procedure. The procedure was converted to an open procedure and all measures were taken to control the bleeding. The bleeding was controlled and the patient was shifted to the intensive care unit.

"The total surgical procedure lasted for about 9 hours.

Unfortunately, because of the underlying liver disease he did not do well and succumbed at 11.30 pm. The patient's relatives were kept informed of the patient's condition after shifting to the intensive care unit and subsequently," AIIMS said.

The mortality rate of this procedure in patients with cirrhosis in most centres of the world is in the range of 5-10 per cent, doctors said.