Mumbai doctors successfully treat rare pregnancy case with multi-organ failure

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Mumbai doctors have successfully treated a rare and critical case of molar pregnancy, where complications caused multi-organ failure were affecting six major systems in the body. The woman was treated at Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai Central.

Molar pregnancy, a rare and abnormal form of pregnancy where no viable fetus develops, can lead to severe complications if untreated.

In this case, a 30-year-old woman presented with an advanced molar pregnancy that resulted in the rapid failure of her lungs, liver, kidneys, blood systems, and other critical functions.

The patient had initially delayed treatment after being diagnosed at a railway hospital, leading to her admission in a critical state. Her condition necessitated an emergency procedure to remove the uterus, followed by intensive care to manage her failing organs.

Speaking about the case, Dr Charudatt Vaity, director of Critical Care Medicine at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, said, "This was an exceptionally complex and rare case. The patient was in acute multi-organ failure, requiring swift and innovative treatment approaches. The use of therapeutic plasma exchange, a rarely applied procedure in such cases, was instrumental in stabilising her condition and facilitating recovery. This underscores the hospital's ability to handle the most critical medical scenarios with advanced expertise."

To address the critical situation, the medical team at Wockhardt Hospitals adopted a dual approach. Firstly, they surgically removed the abnormal pregnancy tissue to prevent further damage. Secondly, they provided comprehensive supportive care, including ventilator support, medications to stabilise blood pressure, dialysis for kidney failure, and advanced therapies for liver failure.

One of the most innovative aspects of the treatment was the use of therapeutic plasma exchange, typically reserved for liver failure from other causes. Over four sessions, this procedure significantly improved the patient's liver function, which had been severely compromised by the molar pregnancy. During this time, she was on multi-organ support to manage the critical condition.

After intensive care and treatment, the patient made a remarkable recovery, being weaned off ventilator support, and her organ functions gradually returned to normal. She was eventually discharged in stable condition.

Dr Vaity added, "This case emphasises the importance of timely diagnosis and advanced medical interventions. At Wockhardt Hospitals, we are committed to leveraging the latest medical technologies and a patient-first approach to achieve life-saving outcomes, even in the most challenging cases."

Nikhil Bhasin, consultant nephrologist and renal transplant physician, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, added, ""Plasma exchange has long been a cornerstone in managing complex Nephrology and Neurology cases, offering life-saving benefits in conditions like myasthenia gravis and ANCA vasculitis. However, its role in treating Acute Liver Failure is now coming to the forefront, demonstrating promising outcomes. By removing toxins, inflammatory mediators, and supporting liver regeneration, plasma exchange provides a bridge for critically ill patients, either toward recovery or liver transplantation. This advancement highlights the evolving potential of this therapy in multidisciplinary critical care."

This rare and critical case will be documented as part of an academic study to raise awareness about molar pregnancies and improve treatment protocols for similar conditions. The patient, now back home, has expressed immense gratitude to the hospital's medical team for their relentless efforts.