Seriously ill 'mirror man' in op success

A poor 18-year-old Tibetan with congenital heart disease and a “mirror man” condition, meaning his organs are on the opposite side of his body to where they should be, had his gallbladder successfully removed at a local hospital on Monday.

The man’s heart condition was so serious he had been confined to his bed and doctors said it was a miracle he was still alive.

With the help of a charity organisation he had come to Shanghai for treatment for his heart disease. However, surgery was deemed too complicated and risky.

The man returned to Tibet. But he then suffered gall stones and inflammation of the gallbladder. The pain was so acute that surgery was needed. 

The charity contacted several leading hospitals in the nation but was unable to arrange surgery as his heart disease was a risk. 

Early this month, he was taken to Renji Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine for help and Dr Liu Yingbin worked out a detailed surgical plan to ensure his safety.

“The surgery was smooth. The success is the result of multidisciplinary cooperation and doctors’ courage and care to patient,” Liu said.