4th August 2025, Kolkata: A five-month-old baby boy from Nabadwip in Nadia district recently underwent a successful laparoscopic pyeloplasty—a minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery to correct a severe kidney blockage—at Manipal Hospital, Mukundapur. This delicate procedure, performed by Dr. Subhasis Saha, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon at Manipal Hospital, Mukundapur, involved treating congenital hydronephrosis, a condition where the kidney becomes abnormally swollen due to urine buildup caused by an obstruction. Pyeloplasty is a surgical procedure that removes this blockage at the junction where the kidney connects to the ureter, allowing urine to flow freely and preventing further kidney damage.
The baby, Ayush Sen (name changed), had been diagnosed with this condition during a prenatal scan. Such advanced procedures in infants remain rare across the country, making this case a significant milestone. His situation had caused a 20% impairment in the functioning of his kidneys by the age of five months. His parents, Roma Sen (name changed), a homemaker, and Bijoy Sen (name changed), a car driver, had been visiting different hospitals repeatedly but were told to wait until Ayush (name changed) grew up for the operation. When Dr Lalit Kumar Agarwal, Nephrologist referred the case to Dr. Subhasis Saha, he understood the gravity of the situation and did not hesitate to act in time to save the 5-month-old from further damage. The laparoscopic pyeloplasty was done on 29th July with only one 5mm and two 3mm cuts. Ayush (name changed) recovered well post-surgery and was discharged within 48 hours without any incision on the abdomen.
Dr. Subhasis Saha, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, Manipal Hospital, Mukundapur, said, “Several kidney dilatations found in prenatal ultrasounds correct by themselves. But some are genuine obstructions that, if not treated, can seriously hamper kidney function. In the case of Ayush (name changed), there was definite blockage at the junction between the kidney and the ureter. Though adult laparoscopic pyeloplasty is prevalent now, infant laparoscopic pyeloplasty is done very infrequently, particularly in children younger than one year of age. While these procedures are routinely performed in other parts of the country, they remain relatively rare in Eastern India. However, we have been doing this successfully for years. In fact, since 2021, only in our hospital, we have had seven infants laparoscopic pyeloplasties and approximately 70 laparoscopic pyeloplasties in children aged 1–16 years since 2013. The benefits are evident less pain, quick recovery, no visible marks, and most importantly, timely kidney function preservation.”
Ayush’s father Bijoy Saha (name changed), “We had been running from one hospital to another for months, and were even told a kidney transplant might be needed. When we came to Manipal Hospital and met Dr. Subhasis Saha, he explained everything clearly and reassured us. He said a small keyhole surgery could save my baby’s kidney. The operation went well, and my son is now recovering. I wish we had come here earlier. I am truly thankful to the doctor and the entire team at Manipal for giving my child a new life.”
This achievement again proves the high-level pediatric surgical skills of Manipal Hospital, Mukundapur, particularly in conducting infrequent and intricate surgeries on babies through minimally invasive methods. The hospital is home to Eastern India’s first dedicated Pediatric Nephro-Urology Unit, which has successfully treated numerous children with severe kidney conditions. Under the leadership of Dr. Subhasis Saha and Paediatric Nephrologist Dr. Rajiv Sinha, the unit has also carried out paediatric renal transplants, offering hope and healing to young patients facing kidney failure.