In a major development for the healthcare infrastructure of Mizoram, doctors at the state-run Zoram Medical College and Hospital (ZMC&H) in Falkawn have successfully performed an open-heart surgery for the first time in the institution's history. Health officials announced on Thursday that the landmark medical procedure was conducted on Wednesday for a 69-year-old patient diagnosed with Triple Vessel Disease, a severe condition involving critical blockages in three primary coronary arteries.
Complex Six-and-a-Half-Hour Surgical Procedure
The high-precision operation spanned six and a half hours and involved Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). During the delicate procedure, surgeons temporarily stopped the patient's heart while vital circulatory and organ functions were maintained using an advanced heart-lung machine. To bypass the clogged arteries, the surgical team harvested the patient's own saphenous vein from the leg along with the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) from the chest. Normal cardiac rhythmic function was successfully re-established once the bypass grafts were securely positioned.
Expert Collaborative Medical Team
The surgery was led by ZMC&H resident cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Mary Hmingthantluangi, who was assisted by Dr Intekhab Alam from a private medical facility in Guwahati. The clinical team also comprised specialized anesthesiologists, cardiologists, and dedicated nursing staff who provided critical intraoperative support. Officials noted that the patient had suffered a cardiac arrest approximately six months prior to the intervention, after which detailed diagnostic evaluations revealed the multi-vessel arterial blockages.
Post-Operative ICU Monitoring and Government Praise
Following the completion of the surgery, the patient was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit for comprehensive post-operative monitoring. A medical officer at ZMC&H confirmed that the surgical intervention was completely successful and that the patient remains under close clinical observation in the ICU. Mizoram Health Minister Lalrinpuii expressed deep appreciation to the medical personnel, praising their dedication and painstaking efforts in executing this pioneering surgery in the state.
