GREAT SURGICAL FEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1925, Page 5

GREAT SURGICAL FEAT.

WOMAN’S HEART EXPOSED. REMOVAL OF A CYST. _____ 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 the name of professional ethics. But occasionally news leaks out of a marvellous operation, and though the 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. I 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 hydatic cyst, which had been pressing on the back of the heart and restricting, the patient’s breathing, 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 wM!S impossible to tell from the shadow 3 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, through 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 lung 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 necessary so that, in the event of a hemorrhage occurring, the surgeon could act suddenly and freely to check it. The cyst was found to be formed on the diaphragm, but its pressure was exerted 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 pain, and now she is making good progress toward recovery.