Doctors in Kolkata have successfully treated a five-year-old boy, for a massive right-sided pleural empyema, which is a serious infection marked by the accumulation of pus in the space between the lungs and the chest wall.
The boy, a resident of Alipurduar, had been experiencing high fever and severe breathing difficulties for nearly a week before being admitted to a local hospital in North Bengal. As his condition deteriorated, he was referred to Manipal Hospital in Mukundapur.
At the time of admission, the child was in severe respiratory distress, as the infected fluid was compressing his right lung and making breathing extremely difficult.
He was then treated by Dr Subhasis Saha, consultant – Paediatric Surgery, and Dr. Sayantan Bhowmick, associate consultant, Paediatric Pulmonology, at the hospital.
After rapid stabilisation, the team decided on early Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS), a minimally invasive procedure to drain the infection and allow the lung to expand.
Following the operation, the child required mechanical ventilation (a breathing machine) for about ten days because the right lung initially failed to fully re-expand, and a pneumothorax (air leak in the lung) developed. Under the supervision of the Paediatric Intensive Care team, led by Dr Saumen Meur, senior consultant, Paediatric Intensive Care along with Dr Monideepa Dutta, consultant, Paediatric Intensive Care precise ventilatory strategies, infection control, and lung-protective physiotherapy were implemented. Gradually, the lung expanded, the air leak resolved, and Arya was successfully taken off the ventilator and discharged in excellent health.
While discussing the case, Dr Saha said, “Empyema in children can progress rapidly and, if not treated in time, can become life-threatening. In Arya’s case, early surgical intervention through minimally invasive Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) was vital to remove the infection and help his lung expand again. Paediatric surgery is not just about precision it’s also about understanding the fear and anxiety that families go through when their child is unwell. Our team worked closely with the parents at every step to ensure they felt supported and informed. Seeing the child recover, smile, and go back to his normal, playful self after such a critical illness is the most fulfilling outcome we could hope for.”
Dr Bhowmick who guided the boy`s respiratory care, added, “When a child comes in with such a serious lung infection, every minute counts. Arya’s lungs were filled with pus, which made it very hard for him to breathe. Our first step was to remove the pus through a minimally invasive surgery called VATS, so the lung could start working again. While he was on the breathing machine, we carefully monitored his oxygen levels and used medicines to fight infection and reduce inflammation. We aimed to minimise airway pressures, optimise drainage and antibiotic therapy, and support the lung’s natural healing process with structured physiotherapy. This case is a strong reminder that teamwork, timely surgery, and round-the-clock care can make all the difference in saving a child’s life.”
The boy`s mother, said, “Watching my little boy gasping for breath and burning with high fever for seven relentless days was nothing short of a nightmare. After trying treatment locally and seeing no improvement, we had to travel all the way to Manipal Hospital in Mukundapur, hoping for specialised care. From the moment we arrived, the doctors and nurses were compassionate, calm, and extremely thorough, explaining every step and ensuring my child was comfortable. Thanks to their exceptional care and dedication, Arya is now back home, healthy, and full of energy. We will always be deeply grateful to the entire team for giving our son a second chance at life.”
