Doctors at GBP Hospital successfully replace patient's Oesophagus with colon segment for first time

In a groundbreaking achievement, doctors at Govind Ballabh Pant (GBP) Hospital in Agartala have successfully performed a colon interposition surgery, replacing a patient’s damaged esophagus with a portion of his colon — the first such surgery in Tripura.

According to the patient's family, Prosenjit Das, a 23-year-old resident of Kaiyadepa, Madhupur in Sepahijala district, consumed formic acid, used for rubber processing, in March last year following a quarrel with his younger brother. He was immediately taken to Madhupur Primary Health Centre, where doctors found that his esophagus had been severely burnt and had completely closed due to the acid.

For over a year and a half, Prosenjit had been unable to eat rice or drink water properly. First the patient reported to Dr. Mrinal Debbarma,  gastroenterologist in January 2025. 

Then dilatation started. On 3rd June 2025, his family brought him to GBP Hospital for advanced care. 

Dr. Mrinal Debbarma conducted an endoscopy and detected a stricture in the esophagus. Repeated esophageal dilatation was attempted every three weeks, allowing temporary intake of liquids, but the procedure eventually stopped being effective. As a temporary measure, he was fed liquids through a tube inserted into his intestines. After sometime it is found that the structure is refractory and not responding to dilatation then he referred the patient to  Dr. Dipankar Shankar Mitra, Gastro Surgeon, who discussed the complex case with Dr. Kanak Narayan Bhattacharya, Cardiothoracic Surgeon. It was decided to perform an esophageal bypass surgery, wherein a portion of the colon is used to reconstruct the esophagus, passing it through the chest.

This highly complex and first-of-its-kind surgery in Tripura was successfully performed on 5th June 2025 in the CTVS (Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery) Operation Theatre of GBP Hospital by a joint team led by Dr. Mitra and Dr. Bhattacharya.

The operation lasted over seven hours, and the surgical team included Dr. Subhadeep Pal, Dr. Kishore, Dr. Kiran, and Dr. Abhinav. Anesthesia was administered by Dr. Manimoy Debbarma and Dr. Surajit Pal. The OT team also comprised Sudipta Mondal (Physician Assistant), OT Assistants Jaydeep Chakraborty and Ratan Mondal, and nurses Sourav Shil, Mousumi Debnath, and Anna Bahadur Jamatia.

This procedure required precise planning, as the colon segment had to be passed through the chest, in front of the heart, and up to the throat, ensuring uninterrupted blood flow so it could function like a natural esophagus.

Currently, the patient's condition is stable and improving. He is gradually beginning to consume liquid foods orally. A barium CT scan is planned, and he is now preparing for discharge.

This successful and first-ever colon interposition surgery at GBP Hospital has brought immense satisfaction to the patient's family and pride to the medical fraternity. Notably, the entire treatment was done free of cost under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).