A city hospital performs a complex procedure to save a thyroid cancer patient

Doctors at the Department of Pulmonary Medicine and Interventional Pulmonology at MedStar Hospitals, Tadepalli saved the life of a 51-year-old thyroid cancer patient by performing a tracheal stent procedure with ECMO assistance.

According to a press release from MedStar Hospital on Tuesday (June 16, 2026), the patient had previously undergone an emergency tracheostomy at another hospital. However, the severe narrowing of the trachea below the tracheostomy site led to gradually worsening breathing difficulties.

After episodes of hypoxic seizures due to insufficient oxygenation, the patient visited Medstar Hospitals for advanced treatment. A bronchoscopic examination by doctors here revealed almost complete obstruction of the vocal cords caused by severe swelling, leaving only a hole-sized airway. In addition, the tracheostomy segment was found to be almost completely occluded, the report said.

Due to the extremely high risk of complete airway collapse after removal of the tracheostomy tube, the medical team decided to start extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support before the intervention. Once the patient was stabilized on ECMO support, the tracheostomy tube was removed and doctors successfully deployed a tracheal stent, restoring the airway.

After the procedure was completed, the patient was successfully weaned from ECMO in the operating room itself. The patient is currently recovering well, said Sai Teja Pavirala, MD, DM, chief of pulmonary medicine and interventional pulmonology.

Published – 16 Jun 2026 20:45 IST