Pigeon dropping leads to lung transplant for Mumbai woman in Pune

Pune, November 8, 2023: To save a patient’s life, DPU Private Super Specialty Hospital, Pimpri, Pune, urgently brought lungs from Surat to Pune by chartered flight. This is the first of its kind case in Pune of successful transplant by bringing lungs from another state to Pune by air. A green corridor was created from District Hospital, Surat to Surat Airport and then from Pune Airport to DPU Private Super Specialty Hospital, Pimpri, Pune. 

The organs were transplanted into a 53-year-old woman who suffered from acute lung disease (hypersensitivity pneumonitis) due to exposure to pigeons. The patient was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at DPU Private Super Specialty Hospital, Pimpri, Pune on 20 September 2023. She was admitted to the hospital due to respiratory distress and required ventilatory support.

The patient’s condition was deteriorating and his name was put on the waiting list for a double lung transplant. On September 28, 2023, the hospital received information from ROTTO and Maharashtra SOTTO about the availability of a suitable organ donor through the Pune ZTCC. And with the consent of organ donation, the next process started. On receiving the notification, a team of doctors consisting of CVTS surgeons, transplant pulmonologists and other paramedical experts immediately left for Surat. The organs were removed from District Hospital, Surat at 4 pm and brought safely to DPU Private Super Specialty Hospital, Pimpri, Pune at 6:15 pm in 2 hours and 15 minutes. Due to the tireless efforts of the entire team of expert doctors and health care workers, the organ retrieval process was successful.

A decision was made to bring the organs by air so that the organs could be delivered in a carefully and timely planned, dynamic process. The Green Corridor was created in collaboration with Surat and Pune Traffic Police Departments. On September 29, 2023, the organ was delivered in time to Pune and a successful lung transplant surgery was performed on the same day. After the transplant, the patient has responded well to the organ and will soon be discharged home.

Dr. P.D. Patil, Chancellor Dr. D.Y. Patil University (Abhimat University), Pimpri, Pune, said, “Successful organ transplant surgery gives people a new lease of life and we are proud to make this a reality for countless patients. Today, with a multi-organ transplant program, state-of-the-art infrastructure, state-of-the-art healthcare facilities and a team of competent and skilled doctors, we are poised to make a positive difference in the lives of more patients. And this case is a perfect example of that.”

Commenting on this , Dr. Bhagyashree P. Patil, Pro-Chancellor, Dr. D.Y. Patil University (Abhimat University), Pimpri, Pune, said, “Our mission is to enable healthcare facilities at DPU Private Super Specialty Hospital, Pimpri, Pune. Which will be coupled with state-of-the-art infrastructure, which will help in handling complex patient situations and we will be fully equipped to give the gift of life to the patients who need it. I thank the traffic police departments of Surat and Pune and heartily congratulate our skilled doctors who made this organ donation process a breeze.”

Dr. Yashraj Patil, Trustee and Treasurer, Dr. D.Y. Patil University (Abhimat University), Pimpri, Pune said, “I am thankful to the expert doctors involved and congratulate the entire team involved for successfully completing yet another complex organ transplant. We are committed to providing the best medical facilities for various critical treatments and this landmark surgery is a step in the same direction.

Dr. Manisha Karmarkar, Chief Executive Officer, DPU Private Super Specialty Hospital, Pimpri, Pune , said, “We are equipped with modern healthcare facilities and well experienced specialist doctors in our hospital. Our mission is to develop world class medical services with the help of technology and provide best quality treatment to our patients. This Green Corridor represents our efficiency excellence as an organization. That is why we are always looking for new medical alternatives for the benefit of patients.”

Dr. Sandeep Attawar , Director – Heart and Lung Transplantation , DPU Private Super Specialty Hospital , Pimpri , Pune , said, “It is a moment of joy for me to be able to save a precious life. As soon as we received the instructions, we quickly planned the surgery and importantly, the organs were available in time. The world-class infrastructure at DPU Private Super Specialty Hospital, Pimpri, Pune enables us to perform such complex surgeries with ease.”