A pioneering surgery in Surat, Gujarat(probably the first in India), gave 18 years old boy a diaper free new life after 18 long years of suffering.

On 18th January 2021 first time in Gujarat state pioneering bladder surgery was performed to treat a Neurogenic bladder resulting from birth defect of the spinal cord in 18 years old boy. The surgery was successfully performed by an internationally renowned urologist Dr Subodh Kamble and after 18 years the boy became diaper free. The family are resident of Ahmedabad and came specifically to Surat for a surgery by Dr Subodh Kamble.

Pratik (name change for confidentiality), 18 years old boy from Ahmedabad spent an entire night and the entire day without having to wear a diaper for the first time since his birth. On first night of the surgery he managed to have a peaceful sleep continuously from 10pm to 7am next morning without having to wake up several times for urination. He was emotional and found it miraculous for being able to sleep and without having to wear diaper for entire day. One can imagine the psychological and emotional state of the young boy having to wear a diaper each day of life since the birth. The Boy and his parents are overjoyed with the new life given by Dr Subodh Kamble and the success of the surgery.

Pratik was born with Meningomyelocele (spina bifida). Spina bifida is a birth defect in which the spinal canal and the backbone don’t close before the child is born. This type of birth defect is also called a neural tube defect and two to three children in thousand children are born with this defect. Sadly, Pratik was born with Spina Bifida and had to undergo a corrective surgery for his Spina Bifida at age of 3 months and again at age of 8 years, and Pratik developed Neurogenic Bladder.

A baby born with spina bifida needs to have the exposed part of the spinal cord repaired to prevent further injury and infection. Through a surgery the neural tissues placed back in the spinal canal and then closes the muscle and the skin. 60.9% of young adults with spina bifida and surgery for its correction suffer from urine leak and severe urine problems known as Neurogenic bladder. Neurogenic bladder is urinary conditions in people who lack bladder control due to a brain, spinal cord or nerve problem. Our muscles and nerves have to work together for bladder to hold urine until ready to empty it. In neurogenic bladder, nerves carrying messages to & from the bladder, the spinal cord and brain don’t work the way they should. In some cases bladder may become overactive and leak before reaching to the toilet. In some cases bladder muscle may be underactive and not squeeze when it is filled with urine and won’t empty fully or at all. The sphincter of bladder may not work correctly. Some people experience both overactive and underactive bladder. Throughout Pratik’s life as well as urine leakage frequency of his urination was 25 times a day and at 10 times during the night. Pratik suffered with severe urgency of urination with urge incontinence (urine leakage). Pratik was absolutely fed up with his condition to the extent that he wanted to leave his engineering study.

Many young people with spina bifida and Neurogenic bladder end up leaving schools or college due to their urine problems and some even end up committing suicide. Spina bifida is a common neurologic abnormality, with worldwide incidence estimated at 0.3 to 4.5 per 1000 births with urine leak as their most common problem. For these children and adults their quality of life becomes seriously affected. It becomes very difficult for them to go out with friends, take vacations or do everyday things. They constantly worry that they wouldn’t be able to find a bathroom when needed. Some people with neurogenic bladder begin to cancel activities and withdraw from their lives. Neurogenic bladder can affect their work and their relationships. They feel tired, depressed, anxious and lonely. Besides the leaking urine can cause skin problems or infections as well.

A troubled father of 18 years old intelligent engineering student, Mr Patel (surname changed for confidentiality) had tried every option possible to make his son better. The family consulted many specialist in Ahmedabad, Delhi, Bangalore and many other places without any success. Everywhere they were told that his condition do not have any treatment and he could never be treated. Pratik and his parents had left all the hopes of Pratik being able to live normal life. The family then heard about Dr Subodh Kamble and immediately made their way to Surat with a hope for their son’s new life and they made a right decision. They are overjoyed with the outcome of surgery as Pratik responded to surgery fantastically well.

Dr Subodh Kamble says there are many young boys and girls like Pratik who suffer from same or similar problems like Pratik, who would benefit from this pioneering procedure in India. This procedure can be carried out through a telescope; hence it is without any cuts on the body. The patient can resume their problem free life in a matter of few days.

Young boys and girls should not have to suffer in silence as the treatment is now available to treat neurogenic bladder resulted from Spina Bifida at the doorstep, in Gujarat. The problems of Neurogenic bladder can be treated. Currently Dr Subodh Kamble is the only urologist in Gujarat and probably in entire India who is expert in this procedure and offering this procedure in Gujarat and beyond.

Please feel free to contact Dr Subodh Kamble on 9512 666 234 should you wish to discuss this.