Successful open-heart surgery for 8-year-old boy

Sifelani Tsiko
Innovations Editor

An eight-year-old boy who underwent a delicate open–heart surgery at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare recently to repair a hole in his heart, also known as a sinus venosus atrial septal defect with anomalous blood return, has been discharged.

Veteran cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon, Dr Wilfred Muteweye, told The Herald on Wednesday that the boy was recovering well, an indication that the operation was successful.

“The boy is doing very well. He was now in the general surgical ward for children and will be discharged any time today,” he said.

“He is doing well, walking on his own. He still has some pain on the operation site, which is expected since it is still early days. The symptoms that he had before the surgery should subside over the next eight weeks.

“We will do a heart scan called an echocardiogram to monitor his progress as well as to monitor the signs and symptoms that he had initially. The next echocardiogram should be done within the next two weeks.”

A wholly Zimbabwean team of cardiac surgeons, cardiac anaesthetists, theatre nurses and perfusionists did the life–saving operation, thereby highlighting the team’s distinction and outstanding competency.

The lead surgeons were Doctors Kudzai Kanyepi and Simukayi Machawira, supported by cardiac anaesthetists Dr Shield Kajese and Dr Emerson Mutetwa, cardiac theatre nurse Sister Sipiwe Mandipa and perfusionist Patricia Zhande.

The boy had suffered from the heart condition for four years. He had a hole about 3cm, which caused the shunting of blood from the left-sided chambers of the heart to the right-sided chambers.

This resulted in symptoms of the disease that included shortness of breath, swollen legs, persistent cough, and stunted growth, among others.

“The surgeon’s effort came at the right time because the child’s condition was beginning to worsen,” Dr Muteweye said.

“Had we delayed, in a few months he would have become inoperable. Having such a surgery in India would have seen the family having to fork out about US$12 000 for surgical fees, accommodation, and travel costs.”

Dr Muteweye said the team of cardiac specialists will continue to monitor the boy.