India is steadily advancing in healthcare technology and is no longer behind global standards, said Dr Shilpa Gandhi — a noted thoracic surgeon from Nagpur who holds advanced fellowships from the UK, China, and Europe. Her expertise in single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) proved crucial in treating a rare case of thoracic outlet syndrome in a 19-year-old BBA student. The young patient had been struggling for nearly two years with severe tremors that began in her right index finger and gradually spread to other fingers, affecting her routine activities, academic performance, and social confidence. Dr Gandhi shared details of the surgery during a press conference in the city on Friday.
After undergoing multiple investigations, including MRI scans, and several unsuccessful treatment attempts, the student was finally referred for a surgical evaluation. She was admitted under Dr V. Rajasekhara Rao, Director of Cardiac Surgery at a prominent hospital in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. Dr Rao consulted Dr Gandhi, and both concluded that VATS would be the most effective approach to address the condition. Dr Gandhi travelled to Hyderabad specifically to perform this rare and challenging procedure.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) is an uncommon and often overlooked condition, reporting only 2–3 cases per 100,000 people. It occurs when nerves — and sometimes blood vessels — in the neck and upper chest are compressed, leading to pain, weakness, and functional impairment in the arm and hand. The most reliable treatment is surgical decompression, which involves removing the first rib and releasing tight muscles. This can be done through traditional 5–7 cm incisions, via the axilla, or using minimally invasive techniques such as keyhole or robotic surgery.
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