Critical surgery at GB Pant Hospital in Agartala saves infant’s life after LED bulb removed from bronchus. Complex bronchoscopy procedure highlights medical expertise, emergency response, and risks of foreign object inhalation in children.
A life-threatening medical emergency involving a 10-month-old infant was successfully resolved after a complex surgical intervention at Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital, bringing relief to the child’s family and highlighting the critical role of timely medical care.
The infant, identified as Arpita Shil from Kakraban in Gomati district of Tripura, was accidentally exposed to a small LED bulb while playing at home on April 18. Shortly after the incident, she began experiencing severe coughing and breathing difficulties, alarming her family members.
Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the family rushed her to the Gomati District Hospital at around 1 pm. After an initial assessment, doctors quickly referred the infant to Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital in Agartala for advanced treatment. She was admitted to the ENT department at approximately 3:30 pm the same day.
Following detailed medical examinations, doctors confirmed that a small LED bulb had become lodged in the infant’s right bronchus, posing a serious threat to her breathing and overall health. Given the high-risk nature of the case, Head of the ENT Department, Dr. Biplab Nath, decided to proceed with an emergency surgical procedure under general anaesthesia.
Officials stated that the surgery was particularly challenging due to the extremely small size of the infant’s bronchial passage. A highly specialized medical team was assembled under Dr. Nath’s leadership to ensure the best possible outcome.
The procedure was carried out using bronchoscopy, a delicate technique that allows doctors to remove foreign objects from the airway. According to health department officials, the operation required precise coordination between the surgical and anaesthesia teams due to the high-risk conditions.
The surgical team included Dr. Debolina Dey, Dr. Dipshikha Bhattacharjee, Dr. Sukumar Debnath, Dr. Tanmoy Deb, and Dr. Bagdatta Pal. The anaesthesia team comprised Dr. Bhaskar Majumdar, Dr. Chirashree Chowdhury, Arpita Chowdhury, and Dr. Swapan Debbarma, supported by operation theatre nurses and technicians.
“The object was successfully removed after careful anaesthetic management in a high-risk situation,” a health official confirmed.
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Following the surgery, the infant showed steady improvement and was closely monitored by the medical team. She gradually recovered and was discharged from the hospital on April 21, marking a successful outcome in what could have been a fatal incident.
Family members expressed deep gratitude to the doctors and healthcare staff for their swift action and expertise, crediting them with saving the child’s life. The case also serves as a reminder for parents to remain vigilant about small household objects that may pose choking hazards to children.
