Bengaluru, September 01, 2025 : Narayana Health City has achieved a remarkable medical milestone by successfully treating a five-year-old boy diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer near the knee, through a rare and complex surgical procedure known as Rotationplasty. This operation offers new hope and a significantly improved quality of life for young patients facing similar diagnoses.
Prior to referral, the child underwent chemotherapy and was advised at multiple hospitals to undergo hip disarticulation—a radical surgery involving the complete removal of the leg at the hip joint. This approach typically results in disability for life and necessitates the use of an artificial limb fitted at the hip, often limiting mobility and function.
After thorough investigations, the surgical team at Narayana Health City opted for rotationplasty, a limb-sparing procedure that preserves both the hip and functions of the knee joint. As a result, the child will only require a below-knee prosthesis, allowing a higher degree of mobility and independence compared to other traditional options.
Dr. Suman Byregowda Senior Consultant MBBS; MS (Orthopaedics); Fellowship (Musculo skeletal oncology), one of the lead surgeons on the case, commented: “This surgery represented a turning point, not only in the patient’s journey but in our ongoing efforts to advance paediatric orthopaedic oncology. Our deepest commitment is to preserve both life and function for children facing cancer. By offering rotationplasty, we were able to save the child’s hip and knee, giving him the opportunity for a more active and independent future. Seeing him regain hope and mobility after such a daunting diagnosis is the greatest reward for our team.”
This complex surgery which took about 8 hours, has allowed the surgeons to retain critical joint function and provide the child with a much better chance at leading an active life. This successful intervention emphasises the hospital’s commitment to advancing paediatric oncology care and innovative surgical solutions that prioritise both survival and quality of life outcomes.