First paediatric endoscopic removal of bile duct blockage done at Thoothukudi hospital

The procedure of endoscopic removal of stone and blockage from the bile duct, followed by placement of Common Bile Duct (CBD) stent, widely practised in leading medical institutions and private hospitals, was performed for the first time at Government Thoothukudi Medical College and Hospital on a 10-year-old girl. A media briefing was organised in this regard at the hospital, in which doctors, led by Dean G. Sivakumar, explained the treatment provided to the child. H. Sairaman of the Department of Medical Gastroenterology said the child was admitted to the Paediatric Emergency Department with severe abdominal pain, and jaundice, with a bilirubin level of 6 mg/dl. A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)- Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) was taken and the results confirmed that the child was suffering from pancreatitis and obstruction in bile duct due to the presence of cholesterol sludge and stone, a rare condition among children. Dr. Sairaman said such cases were uncommon in children and were referred to major medical institutions in Chennai. “The bile duct blockage was removed through Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and a plastic stent of seven French and seven cm was placed,” he added. He said the child was diagnosed with obstructive jaundice and the bilirubin level was significantly reduced after the stent placement. “The stent will be removed after 8-10 weeks through cholecystectomy,” he said. Silas Jeyamani, Resident Medical Officer, Arunachalam, Head of the Department of Pediatrics, Balaraman and Head of the Department of Anaesthesiology, were present. Published - December 26, 2025 08:24 pm IST

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