Emergency Surgery Saves 3-Day-Old Newborn at Manipal Hospital Baner

Early diagnosis and emergency surgical intervention provided a new lease of life to a newborn suffering from a life-threatening intestinal twist

Pune: Doctors at Manipal Hospital, Baner, successfully treated a just 3-day-old newborn suffering from a rare and serious congenital intestinal condition known as intestinal malrotation with midgut volvulus. If not treated in time, this condition can become fatal within a few hours. Prompt recognition of symptoms, immediate investigations, and timely surgical intervention helped save the baby’s life.

The baby was born at Manipal Hospital, Baner, and was initially stable. However, on the second day, the newborn started having difficulty feeding and began vomiting after every feed. Recognizing these warning signs, the pediatric team immediately initiated detailed investigations.

Sharing details of the case, Dr. Paritosha Dalal, Consultant – Pediatric and Neonatal Surgeon at Manipal Hospital, Baner, said,
“This condition is a surgical emergency requiring immediate intervention. The baby was promptly evaluated, and an urgent abdominal ultrasound along with advanced diagnostic tests were performed. These revealed intestinal malrotation with midgut volvulus, causing obstruction in the initial part of the small intestine. In this condition, the abnormally positioned intestines twist around their blood supply (the superior mesenteric artery), leading to a risk of compromised blood flow and intestinal gangrene. Therefore, the baby was taken for emergency surgery without delay. Restoring blood supply immediately is critical in such cases, as any delay can cause permanent damage to the intestines.”

Under the leadership of Dr. Paritosha Dalal, the neonatal surgical team carefully untwisted the intestines, promptly restored blood circulation, and prevented the development of gangrene. This timely intervention ensured the preservation of the baby’s digestive system.

Dr. Dalal further added,
“Newborns in such conditions are at a higher risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious disease that can lead to intestinal perforation. Unfortunately, this baby later developed a similar complication, necessitating another emergency surgery to remove the damaged portion of the intestine. Following this, the baby was kept under continuous monitoring in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and received intensive neonatal and surgical care. After nearly three weeks of treatment, the baby’s condition stabilized and the baby was discharged. Currently, the baby’s weight gain and feeding are being closely monitored, and steady improvement in growth has been observed.”

Mr. Anand Mote, Cluster Director, Manipal Hospital, Baner, Pune, said,
“At Manipal Hospitals, we consistently deliver advanced medical care even in rare and complex cases. This case highlights the importance of multidisciplinary coordination, advanced technology, and the depth of medical expertise available under one roof.”

The surgery was carried out with the support of a multidisciplinary team that included pediatric surgeon Dr. Paritosha Dalal, pediatrician Dr. Mubashishir Khan (Neonatologist), Dr. Ujjwala Keskar, along with the NICU and radiology teams.

This successful case underscores the critical role of early diagnosis, timely emergency surgery, and integrated specialist care in managing life-threatening conditions in newborns.