Surgery conducted on patient with reversed organs
A local hospital conducted rectal cancer surgery on Monday on a patient whose internal organs are reversed from their normal position.
The 65-year-old patient, surnamed Shi, went to Xinhua Hospital after experiencing discomfort for about six months. Doctors found rectal cancer and prescribed surgery.
However, a pre-surgery screening found that Shi's heart and other major organs are in the opposite position from most people.
Organ reversal, or situs inversus, is a rare congenital condition. It occurs in about one in a million people.
A special multidisciplinary team consulted on the rare case and decided to first implement a comprehensive therapy. The patient received two months of chemotherapy to reduce the cancer prior to surgery.
Because of the patient's reversed organs, doctors also reversed positions in the operating room. The entire surgery lasted four hours, almost the same as a normal rectal cancer surgery.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer in Shanghai and the most prevalent digestive system cancer. Doctors say there are no noticeable symptoms in the early stages and people over 45 should receive regular screening for early detection and early treatment.
The patient's heart is on the right.
All organs in the patient's belly is on the opposite position from other people.
