Ahmedabad Civil Hospital Doctors Perform Rare ‘Gastric Pull-Up’ Surgery on Toddler

Ahmedabad: The Department of Pediatric Surgery at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital has achieved a significant medical milestone by successfully performing an advanced “Gastric Pull-Up” surgery on a two-and-a-half-year-old boy suffering from a rare, complex congenital defect known as Pure Esophageal Atresia.

The patient, Mantavya—son of Shaileshbhai Patel, an agro-company supervisor from Sanand taluka—was born on November 7, 2023, without a fully developed esophagus. In cases of Pure Esophageal Atresia, the two ends of the food pipe are spaced too far apart to connect naturally, making it impossible for the child to swallow food or milk orally.

A Multi-Stage Lifesaving Journey

To save the newborn’s life, surgeons performed two initial procedures just two days after his birth:

• Esophagostomy: Creating a opening in the throat to manage secretions.

• Gastrostomy: Inserting a feeding tube directly into the stomach.

Over the next two years, the medical team closely monitored Mantavya’s nutritional intake and weight gain to prepare him for full reconstructive surgery.

On July 3, 2026, an expert surgical team led by Dr. Rakesh Joshi (Medical Superintendent and Head of Pediatric Surgery) and Dr. Jayshree Ramji (Professor, Pediatric Surgery), alongside anesthesiologists Dr. Aditi and Dr. Sonal Bhalwat, performed the complex reconstructive procedure. The team constructed a new food pipe for the child using a portion of his own stomach.

Key Medical Facts: Esophageal Reconstruction
• Condition: Pure Esophageal Atresia (Absence of congenital esophagus)
• Treatment: Gastric Pull-Up Surgery
• Success Rate: 85% to 90%

Recovery and Public Healthcare Impact

On the 23rd day following the operation, Mantavya was able to take food orally for the first time in his life. He has since been discharged in good health without complications.

“This type of surgery requires high technical skills and a deeply experienced team,” said Dr. Rakesh Joshi. “Maintaining the child’s nutritional status prior to operating at the exact right time was key to this success. While this procedure is extremely expensive in private healthcare settings, it is offered completely free of charge at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. Our team has successfully completed seven such complex cases over the past year.”

Expressing their deep gratitude to the medical staff, Mantavya’s parents shared an emotional moment as they watched their toddler swallow food normally for the very first time.