A team of expert doctors, including Dr. Roy Patankar, a leading Gastroenterologist, GI, and Robotic Surgeon at Zen Multi Specialty Hospital, along with Dr. Tanveer Majid, Onco Surgeon, Dr Pramod Kale, Chief Anaesthetist, and Dr Vikas Nair, Anaesthetist, successfully restored a 20-year-old boy’s ability to eat, swallow, and breathe after a devastating accident left him struggling for two years. Despite multiple failed treatments and severe complications, his condition worsened until life-saving surgeries gave him a second chance. Now, he is on the path to recovery.
In December 2022, Tauhid Khan, an 18-year-old resident of the Mahal area on the outskirts of Nagpur, met with this tragic accident when he was riding his bike. A truck carrying bamboo was ahead of him, and as it took an unexpected turn, a bamboo pole dislodged and pierced his neck. The impact caused significant damage, puncturing his esophagus (food pipe). He was initially treated in Nagpur, but complications arose when he developed an infection known as empyema in his right lung. To address the infection, doctors performed lung surgery and attempted to close the hole in his esophagus. While the food pipe was repaired, the procedure did not relieve him. An endoscopic stent was later placed to prevent leakage, but this, too, was unsuccessful.
To his dismay, a critical complication emerged due to an abnormal connection formed between his food pipe and windpipe. As a result, every time he swallowed, his saliva would leak into his windpipe and reach his lungs, causing relentless coughing and breathlessness. Despite undergoing lung decortication and having a chest tube placed, his condition continued to worsen, leaving him in urgent need of further medical intervention.
For a year (in 2023), Tauhid had to rely on a spittoon (a plastic cup) to remove saliva from his mouth, as he couldn’t swallow even that. He visited multiple hospitals, even in Mumbai, but none could provide him relief. His family watched in despair as his future seemed uncertain, but they refused to lose hope. His family decided to visit Zen Hospital six months ago, in October 2024. By the time he arrived at the Zen hospital, Tauhid’s condition had severely deteriorated. He had lost weight, dropping from 60 kg to just 33 kg. He was battling a severe sepsis infection that had spread throughout his body, his lung function was critically poor, and he had been struggling with breathlessness for two years and was barely able to walk 10 meters. Unable to swallow food or even his saliva, he had to carry a bag to spit out sputum due to his worsening lung infection.
Dr Roy Patankar, a leading Gastroenterologist, GI & Robotic Surgeon, Zen Multi Specialty Hospital, said, “Upon examination, a repeat OGDscopy confirmed the presence of a persistent tracheoesophageal fistula, an abnormal connection between the food pipe and the windpipe, explaining his ongoing suffering and deteriorating health. A feeding tube was placed in his small intestine to help improve his nutrition. Over the next six months, his health gradually stabilized, and once his nutrition improved, he was scheduled for surgery in March 2025. Since he was unable to consume anything by mouth, a minor surgery known as a feeding jejunostomy was done by placing a feeding tube in his small intestine. This tube, inserted into the proximal jejunum (middle part of the small intestine), allowed him to receive proper nutrition and medications. Over six months, his condition improved, his weight increased from 33 kg to 40 kg, and he became strong enough for surgery scheduled in March 2025.”
Dr Roy Patankar further added, “Two weeks ago, he underwent a complex, eight-hour surgery to repair the hole in both his windpipe (trachea) and food pipe (esophagus). Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is a critical condition where an abnormal connection between the two esophagus causes food, water, and even saliva to leak into the trachea and lungs, leading to severe complications. The surgical team meticulously closed the openings in both the trachea and esophagus. A large neck muscle called the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) was carefully detached and placed between the food pipe and windpipe. This muscle, with its own blood supply, acted as a protective barrier to prevent future infections, a technique known as a muscular flap procedure. All major blood vessels in the neck were preserved, making it a highly intricate operation. The uneventful surgery lasted eight hours, and Tauhid was kept on a ventilator for five days before stabilizing. He is discharged now and is able to swallow food orally. He will start gaining weight in the coming months. Soon, the feeding tube in his intestine will also be removed, and he can eat solid food. The life-saving surgery was performed free of cost. Without timely surgical intervention, his condition would have been fatal, and he would have lost his precious life."
Dr Tanveer Majeed, Oncosurgeon (Thoracic, GI & HPB Oncology), Zen Multi Specialty Hospital, said, "This case is a testament to the human spirit's ability to persevere in the face of adversity. We are privileged to have played a role in this young man's journey, and we hope his story inspires others never to give up hope
"He would cry because he couldn’t eat, and it was heartbreaking to watch him struggle. We felt helpless and tense throughout his ordeal. At one point, he was even refused surgery because of his low weight, and our entire family was devastated. But today, seeing him get a new lease on life is the greatest happiness we could ever experience. Dr Roy and his team gave us this gift by saving my son’s life. After two years of unimaginable struggle, he is finally recovering and is now on liquid foods," said his father,” said Naseem Khan, Tauhid’s father, who is a daily wage worker.
"After the accident in December 2022, my exams were scheduled for February 2023, but I couldn’t appear for them, even though I desperately wanted to. I was on the verge of giving up, but the doctors at Zen Hospital refused to let that happen as they fought for me. I am eternally grateful to them. Now, I can walk, speak properly, and I no longer feel weak. It feels like I have been given a new life. For so long, I was stuck at home, unable to go out, play with friends, or enjoy life. I am eager to switch from a liquid to a solid diet and eat my favorite foods. I am also excited to start college, meet my friends again, and finally move forward,” concluded the patient, Tauhid Khan.
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