Nagpur: Arihant Multispeciality Hospital is proud to announce the launch of the Pediatric EAT (Esophagus & Airway Treatment) Clinic, a pioneering multidisciplinary program dedicated exclusively to the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care of children suffering from complex disorders of the esophagus (food pipe) and airway (windpipe). Conceptualized by Dr. Rajendra Saoji, M.S., M.Ch., D.N.B. (Paediatric Surgery), the clinic is among the first dedicated centers of its kind in India and represents a major advancement in pediatric healthcare.
Why the Pediatric EAT Clinic Matters
Eating and breathing are among the most fundamental functions of life. Yet for many children, congenital anomalies, developmental abnormalities, and acquired disorders affecting the esophagus and airway can make these basic functions extremely difficult or even life-threatening.
Such conditions may arise due to:
- Congenital birth defects
- Developmental abnormalities
- Complications following surgeries performed during the newborn or infancy period
- Infections
- Trauma
- Tumors and growths affecting the airway and food pipe
Children affected by these disorders often struggle with:
- Feeding difficulties
- Swallowing impairment
- Recurrent respiratory infections
- Aspiration pneumonia
- Poor weight gain and growth failure
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Frequent hospital admissions
- Delayed development
- Communication difficulties
- Reduced quality of life for both the child and family
Recognizing the need for a dedicated, multidisciplinary approach to these complex conditions, Arihant Multispeciality Hospital established the Pediatric EAT Clinic to bring together specialists from multiple disciplines under one roof.
A Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Model of Care
The Pediatric EAT Clinic offers a coordinated, child-centered approach to evaluating and managing disorders affecting feeding, swallowing, breathing, and communication.
The clinic integrates expertise from:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Pulmonology
- Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
- Gastroenterology
- Pediatric Critical Care
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Speech and Swallow Therapy
- Anesthesiology
- Rehabilitation Services
By working together, these specialists develop individualized treatment plans aimed at restoring normal feeding, swallowing, breathing, communication, growth, and overall well-being.
A Remarkable Success Story: A Child’s Journey from Struggle to Recovery
The true impact of the Pediatric EAT Clinic was recently demonstrated through the successful treatment of one of the most challenging pediatric esophageal and airway cases encountered at Arihant Hospital.
A three-year-old girl from Kolkata was referred to Dr. Rajendra Saoji, who is widely recognized for his expertise in managing complex pediatric esophageal and airway disorders.
The child had been suffering from severe breathing and swallowing difficulties caused by a rare slow-growing neurogenic tumor known as a schwannoma, which had obstructed both her upper esophagus and airway.
Before reaching Arihant Hospital, she had undergone two unsuccessful surgical attempts elsewhere. Despite multiple interventions, her condition continued to deteriorate.
By the time she arrived in Nagpur, she was dependent on two life-sustaining tubes:
- A tracheostomy tube, inserted through an opening in the trachea to help her breathe.
- A gastrostomy feeding tube, placed directly into the stomach to provide nutrition.
Years of Challenges
The child’s medical journey had been extraordinarily difficult.
Since the age of four months, she had suffered from:
- Recurrent aspiration pneumonia
- Severe swallowing difficulties
- Breathing problems
- Poor weight gain
- Repeated hospital admissions
- Nutritional challenges
- Inability to eat normally
- Inability to speak normally
Beyond the physical challenges, the condition had prevented her from experiencing many of the simple joys of childhood.
For years, her family tirelessly searched for a definitive solution, demonstrating remarkable resilience and determination despite repeated setbacks.
Expert Planning and Team-Based Care
The successful treatment of this child exemplifies exactly why the Pediatric EAT Clinic was established—to provide hope, advanced expertise, and comprehensive multidisciplinary care for children facing some of the most complex feeding, swallowing, and breathing disorders.
Given the complexity of the condition, extensive preoperative evaluation and planning were undertaken.
The child’s intensive care management was led by:
- Dr. Deepti Jain, Former Professor and Head of Department, Government Medical College, Nagpur
- Dr. Piyush Malokar, Pediatric Critical Care Specialist
Their expertise played a crucial role in optimizing the child for surgery and ensuring safe postoperative recovery.
A Six-Hour Life-Changing Surgery
The surgical strategy was meticulously planned and executed by a highly experienced team comprising:
Dr. Rajendra Saoji
Pediatric Surgeon
Dr. Madan Kapre
Senior ENT Surgeon
Dr. Sudhanshu Kothe
Senior Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Working together, the team performed a highly complex six-hour surgery to restore the anatomical pathways necessary for:
- Normal breathing
- Safe swallowing
- Voice production
- Long-term airway function
- Normal feeding
The surgery required exceptional precision and collaboration between multiple specialties to safely remove the obstruction and reconstruct the affected structures.
Advanced Anesthetic and Critical Care Support
A surgery of this magnitude demanded highly specialized anesthetic management.
The child received expert anesthetic care from:
- Dr. Deepali Bhugaonkar
- Dr. Roshan Bhugaonkar
Their expertise ensured patient safety throughout the prolonged and technically demanding procedure.
The Road to Recovery
The surgery was only the beginning.
Following the procedure, the child underwent nearly two months of intensive postoperative rehabilitation, monitoring, and recovery.
This phase focused on helping her safely regain:
- Breathing function
- Swallowing ability
- Feeding skills
- Voice production
- Overall physical strength
Through dedicated multidisciplinary rehabilitation, the child gradually achieved milestones that once seemed impossible.
A New Beginning
Today, the child is free from both tracheostomy and gastrostomy tubes.
She can:
✓ Breathe normally
✓ Swallow safely
✓ Eat normally
✓ Speak clearly
✓ Participate in everyday childhood activities
Most importantly, she is now preparing to begin school like any other child her age—a transformation that once appeared beyond reach.
Recognizing the Unsung Heroes
Behind every successful outcome is a dedicated team working tirelessly behind the scenes.
Special recognition is due to:
- PICU Resident Doctors
- Nursing Staff led by Pramod
- Operation Theatre Nursing Staff led by Nivant
- Akanksha, Speech and Swallow Pathologist
Akanksha played a particularly vital role in helping the child relearn swallowing after years of dysfunction caused by prolonged obstruction of the food passage.
Their dedication, expertise, and compassion were instrumental in achieving this remarkable outcome.
Community Support That Made a Difference
The family also received tremendous support from compassionate individuals and organizations.
Special appreciation goes to:
- Mr. Jitendra Nayak and the team of GSB Sabha, who provided generous financial assistance.
- Mr. Girish Devani and family, who arranged accommodation for nearly two months, ensuring the family had a safe and comfortable place to stay during the child’s prolonged treatment and recovery.
Their philanthropic support helped ease the burden on the family during a challenging period.
A Visionary Step Forward for Pediatric Healthcare
This achievement would not have been possible without the vision and commitment of Mr. Nikhil Kusumgar, Chairman of Arihant Multispeciality Hospital.
His dedication to developing advanced healthcare infrastructure has enabled the creation of specialized programs like the Pediatric EAT Clinic, allowing children with complex esophageal and airway disorders to receive integrated, world-class care under one roof.
Dr. Rajendra Saoji’s Vision
Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Rajendra Saoji said:
“Children with complex esophageal and airway disorders often require expertise from multiple specialties working together. The Pediatric EAT Clinic was established to bridge this gap and provide comprehensive, coordinated care for these children. Our goal is not only to treat disease but to restore a child’s ability to breathe comfortably, swallow safely, eat normally, communicate effectively, and enjoy a healthy, fulfilling life.”
A New Hope for Children Across India
The Pediatric EAT Clinic is among India’s first dedicated multidisciplinary programs focused exclusively on disorders of the esophagus and airway in children.
It represents a simple but powerful belief:
Complex problems require collaborative solutions.
By bringing together advanced surgical expertise, critical care, rehabilitation, nutrition, speech therapy, and compassionate support, Arihant Multispeciality Hospital is creating new possibilities for children and families facing some of the most challenging pediatric conditions.
