GREAT SURGICAL FEAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19040, 10 June 1925, Page 13

GREAT SURGICAL FEAT.

WOMAN'S HEART EXPOSED. REMOVAL OF A CYST. OPERATION IN SYDNEY. [from our own correspondent. ] }. SYDNEY. June 5. An account of every unusual surgical operation that, is performed does not see its way into print. Most surgeons are content to do their work without publicity, and for those who are not the B.M.A. enforces modesty in tho name of professional ethics. But occasionally news leaks out of a marvellous operation, and though tho name of its performer might be missing, the description of the surgeon's feat is sufficient to set the average layman wondering to what heights of human ingenuity modern surgery is heading. One such operation was performed at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital last week. Part of a young woman's chest was laid back, exposing the heart and lung, and a hydatid cyst, which had been pressing on the back of the heart and restricting the patient's breathfng, was removed. The patient was a city waitress, 30 years of age. At first it was thought that she was suffering. from a form > of tuberculosis, but an X-ray examination revealed the cyst at the back of the heart, and a series of blood tests proved it to be hydatic. It was impossible to tell from the shadow on the X-ray plate whether the cyst was attached' to the heart or not. A special anaesthetic was introduced by means of a tube in the throat, throngh which it was blown at a definite pressure into the lungs, and the surgeon was able to determine by his observations during the operation any regulation of the anaesthetic that was necessary. The lunj; was allowed to collapse, and a section of the chest, including ribs, flesh and muscles, was laid back, exposing the heart and lung. This was necpssary so that, in the event of a hemorrhage occurring, the surgeon could act suddenly and freely 1o check it. The cyst was found to bo formed on the diaphragm, but its pressure was everted upwards on to the back of the heart. An incision was made in the cyst, which was then partly drained, and the surgeon, exploring the sac in which it had formed, could feel right round to the back of the heart. Tubes were placed to drain the cyst, and the section of the chest was carefully replaced and stitched. The operation was performed on Tuesday of last week. A week later the patient stated that she was quite free from p.ain, and now she is making good progress toward recovery.