Sharjah resident Anoop Erathenparambil never imagined his 12-year-old daughter Devna's complaints of stomach pain one night would be life-threatening.
He told The National he first took her to a nearby clinic thinking it was a case of constipation. However, when her pain didn't subside and she started vomiting after taking medicine, the family knew something was wrong.
They rushed her to Aster Hospital Sharjah, where a team of doctors initially drew a “different diagnosis” based on her symptoms that mimicked other common gastrointestinal conditions.
However, a CAT scan revealed that she had a potentially life-threatening condition known as cecal volvulus – which causes the large intestine to twist and block off blood flow.
“The doctors told me that she needs to undergo surgery within minutes of getting the CAT scan results,” Mr Erathenparambil said.
The team, led by Dr Sandeep Tandel, Specialist in Laparoscopic and General Surgery, completed the complex surgery of “untwisting the affected part of the intestine and fixing the caecum to the abdominal wall” in 2 hours and 40 minutes.
“It was a life-saving surgery. Her condition was worsening and thank God we managed to reach the hospital on time,” Mr Erathenparambil said.
After the surgery, Devna was monitored for 72 hours in the hospital before she was discharged.
Since returning home, she has recovered well, showing no complications during her follow-up checks.
Doctors at Aster Hospital said an early diagnosis was crucial in saving her life.
Devna, who was born prematurely, demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout her treatment and recovery, Dr Tandel said.
He added that cecal volvulus, while rare in children, is a serious form of intestinal obstruction that predominantly affects adults but can occasionally occur in paediatric patients.
“I watched my little girl go to school on Monday and it filled my heart with so much joy. My wife and I felt so happy seeing her happy again, especially after what she had gone through,” Mr Erathenparambil added.
“We are incredibly thankful to the entire medical staff at Aster for giving our daughter a new lease on life, and we cannot thank them enough.”
What is Cecal Volvulus
Cecal volvulus is a rare form of intestinal obstruction that occurs when the caecum, the first part of the large intestine, detaches from the abdominal wall and twists on itself, leading to an obstruction that can cut off blood supply to the affected area, resulting in severe complications.
Symptoms often mimic other gastrointestinal issues, making early diagnosis challenging.
It is a serious form of intestinal obstruction that predominantly affects adults.
In adults, it accounts for 1–1.5 per cent of intestinal obstructions, with a perioperative mortality rate that can be as high as 40 per cent, depending on bowel viability and the speed of intervention.
However, with timely intervention, full recovery is possible.
