THIRTEEN-MONTH-OLD Treena will undergo her second major and complex surgery this Friday at the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH), in a procedure aimed at giving her a safer and healthier future.
The surgery will be performed by visiting Professor Paddy Dewan, a Urologist and Paediatric Surgeon, in collaboration with the PMGH Paediatric Surgical Team.
Professor Dewan’s visit has been made possible through funding support from Paradise Private Hospital.
Professor Dewan first treated Treena in May this year, when he performed her first major life-saving operation at Paradise Private Hospital at no cost to the family.
Treena was born with a complex condition in which both of her kidneys have a duplicated collecting system. This
resulted in blockages affecting the upper portions of the kidney systems and caused serious urine infections and abscesses.
According to Professor Dewan, Treena became critically ill because previous catheter treatment was unable to resolve the underlying problem.
“Last time I was here, she required an operation because both kidneys were double. The blockage in the upper part of each system resulted in a urine abscess on both sides,” Professor Dewan explained.
He said the operation performed in May was necessary to save Treena’s life.
“We did a life-saving operation where we brought part of the kidney out from the upper part of each kidney to the skin, allowing the urine to exit her body. She is now growing and thriving,” he said.
Treena has since made good progress and is currently in very good health.
Professor Dewan said the upcoming operation will focus on rebuilding her urinary system and ensuring that she can safely maintain kidney function into the future.
The surgical team will initially focus on Treena’s left kidney, where both portions appear to contain functioning kidney tissue. The aim is to reconnect the kidney to the bladder so urine can drain normally.
The condition of the upper portion of her right kidney will also be assessed. If it is found to be functioning adequately, the surgical team will consider preserving it. If it is not functioning sufficiently, it may need to be removed to prevent further complications.
Professor Dewan said Treena’s condition is highly complex and required an initial life-saving procedure because she had already suffered serious infection.
“If she had access to an operative solution before she developed the major infection, she might have only needed two operations, one on each kidney,” he said.
“Because she had been so sick and unwell, we had to save her life with the last operation in May. Now we have to rebuild her system to make sure she can be safe into thefuture.”
Professor Dewan described the upcoming procedure as a future-building operation, but stressed that it remains important to Treena’s long-term health.
He also highlighted the significant cost associated with such complex surgery.
“The cost just for the surgery we did last time, including the theatre time and hospital stay, would have been in excess of A$30,000 (PGK95,000) for one procedure. It would be similar for the operation she is about to have,” Professor Dewan said.
Treena’s case highlights the importance of access to specialised paediatric surgical services for children with complex medical conditions. PMGH acknowledges Paradise Private Hospital for supporting Professor Dewan’s visit and enabling this specialised surgical care to be provided in partnership with the PMGH Paed