CALICUT : The doctors at Aster MIMS Calicut successfully performed a liver transplant for a Riyadh based Yemeni national, suffering from last stage liver disease, the first of its kind in North Kerala.

Born with rare liver disease, 30-year-old Fatima Abdulkareem Saeed Al Nahdi, was under treatment at various hospitals in the Middle East. She had Budd Chiari syndrome with multiple protein enzyme defects resulting in blockade of major vessels of the liver.

Even though a stent tube was placed two years ago in Saudi Arabia, she had multiple medical issues with a poor quality of life. All of that changed, thanks to a liver transplant she received three months back from Aster MIMS Calicut. She came to know about the Liver team at Aster from her brother’s Keralite friend through whom they consulted the liver surgeon, Dr Noushif Medappil.

Though travel restrictions imposed by the pandemic made things difficult, the MVT team aided a hassle-free process. Her brother, Mr Saleh Al Nahdi donated a portion of his liver through major surgery to save his beloved sister.

The twelve hour-long surgery was technically challenging involving removal of the previous stent tube with damaged liver and reconstructing major vessels, said Dr Sajeesh Sahadevan, Head of the team.

The surgical team including Dr Noushif, Dr Abishek, Dr Seetha were supported by the hepatology team led by Dr Anish Kumar and liver intensivists Dr Kishore and Dr Rakesh. “We could put our complete trust and faith in the team. We are thankful to the doctors, nurses and the experienced team at Aster MIMS, Calicut for their timely intervention to get my life back on track again. Back in Riyadh with family, Ms Fatima was also astonished by the hospitality of Calicut.