#PRIYO CHITROSATHI NEWS💐
Kolkata, September 28, 2026: Ahead of World Heart Day, Neotia Bhagirathi Woman and Child Care Centre (NBWCCC), New Town, hosted “The Heartbeat Sessions”, bringing into focus three successful cases involving Double Switch Operations, a complex corrective procedure for children diagnosed with Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries (ccTGA), a rare congenital heart defect that accounts for less than one per cent of all congenital heart diseases. The Paediatric Cardiac Team at Neotia Bhagirathi Women and Child Care Centre (NBWCCC), New Town, recently performed three successful Double Switch Operations within a month, with all three patients doing well on follow-up. One of the three children who underwent successful Double Switch Operation at Neotia Bhagirathi Women and Child Care Centre (NBWCCC), New Town, along with their family members, shared their journeys from diagnosis to recovery, highlighting the transformative impact of timely intervention and comprehensive paediatric cardiac care.
A panel comprising leading paediatric cardiac specialists from Neotia Bhagirathi Women and Child Care Centre (NBWCCC), New Town, including Dr. Nilanjan Dutta, Sr. Consultant Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Surgery; Dr. Sanjiban Ghosh, Consultant Interventional Paediatric & Foetal Cardiology; Dr. Aritra Mukherji, Consultant Interventional Paediatric & Foetal Cardiology; and Dr. Sayandeep Jana, Consultant Cardiac Anaesthesia and Critical Care, shared insights into Double Switch Operation. The experts discussed the clinical complexities of the condition, the importance of timely intervention, comprehensive parental counselling and informed decision-making, as well as the successful outcomes achieved in three children who underwent the procedure at Neotia Bhagirathi Women and Child Care Centre (NBWCCC), New Town. They also highlighted the need for long-term follow-up and continued multidisciplinary care to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients. In addition, the panel shared that the department has successfully performed 252 cardiac surgeries, including several complex and high-risk procedures, along with 477 catheterisation laboratory interventions, with encouraging patient outcomes.
Congenital heart disease remains a significant paediatric health concern in India, with an estimated 200,000 to 250,000 babies born with the condition each year, according to an article published in the The National Medical Journal of India. Nearly one-third of these children require early medical or surgical intervention. Among the rarest forms is Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries (ccTGA), a complex congenital heart defect in which the heart is wired differently from birth. While patients may initially remain symptom-free, the condition can lead to progressive heart dysfunction over time. Double Switch Operation, helps restore normal blood circulation, significantly improving long-term heart function and quality of life.
During the session, the specialists emphasised the importance of early diagnosis and timely intervention in the management of children with Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries (ccTGA). They noted that while Double Switch Operation is performed relatively infrequently due to the rarity and complexity of the condition, it remains an important surgical treatment option for appropriately selected patients. The expert panel highlighted the need for comprehensive parental counselling, informed decision-making and lifelong follow-up, as some patients may require future interventions, including pacemaker implantation if heart block develops over time. They further stressed that symptoms such as poor weight gain, recurrent respiratory infections, bluish discolouration of the lips or nails, and abnormal heart sounds should be evaluated promptly, as early detection can significantly improve the outcomes. Given that these children have several decades of life ahead of them, regular long-term surveillance remains essential to monitor heart health, identify any residual or late-onset complications, and ensure sustained clinical outcomes.
Dr. Nilanjan Dutta, Sr. Consultant Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Surgery, Neotia Bhagirathi Women and Child Care Centre (NBWCCC), New Town said, “Double switch operation (DSO) is quite rarely performed. Because the cardiac circulation is physiologically corrected, patients develop symptoms usually late in early childhood.
It is imperative to discuss the procedure with parents in greater details. The parents need to understand the high risk associated with DSO. The children need to be on regular follow-up with Pediatric Cardiology team after operation. Patients with corrected transposition (CCTGA) have risk of developing spontaneous Heart Block (2% per year). Patients who undergo Senning-Rastelli procedures, like our last two patients, will require conduit change or transcatheter dilatation in future.
Therefore, the decision to go ahead with DSO needs to be taken with caution, parental briefing, clear understanding of future challenges and without any haste”.
Dr. Sayandeep Jana, Consultant Cardiac Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Neotia Bhagirathi Women and Child Care Centre (NBWCCC), New Town said, “The postoperative management in ICU after DSO needs intense monitoring of heart rate, rhythm and low cardiac output state. We keep the patient on mechanical ventilator overnight. An echocardiography is done next day morning before taking decision to extubate”.
Dr. Aritra Mukherji, Consultant Interventional Paediatric & Foetal Cardiology, Neotia Bhagirathi Women and Child Care Centre (NBWCCC), New Town said, “Preoperative assessment of these children with corrected transposition is crucial. Heart function needs to be evaluated very carefully. Anatomical correction with DSO, though complex, offers the best long-term survival”.
Dr. Sanjiban Ghosh, Consultant Interventional Paediatric & Foetal Cardiology, Neotia Bhagirathi Women and Child Care Centre (NBWCCC), New Town said, “Life long follow up after operation is very important. Patients may require catheter intervention for dilatation of conduit which is put during Senning-Rastelli procedure. Permanent pacemaker implantation is not uncommon in future as these patients can develop spontaneous heart block”.
At “The Heartbeat Sessions”, Neotia Bhagirathi Woman and Child Care Centre (NBWCCC), New Town, announced a partnership with Make-A-Wish India Kolkata Chapter, a children's non-profit organisation that fulfils the most cherished wishes of children living with critical illnesses. As part of this collaboration, the Paediatric Cardiology Department at Neotia Bhagirathi Women and Child Care Centre (NBWCCC), New Town, will identify children who have overcome complex cardiac conditions and treatment journeys, enabling Make-A-Wish India Kolkata Chapter, to engage with them and fulfil their most cherished wishes, creating memorable experiences that celebrate their resilience and bring renewed hope to them and their families.
The event highlighted Neotia Bhagirathi Women and Child Care Centre (NBWCCC), New Town's commitment to delivering advanced paediatric cardiac care and managing complex congenital heart conditions through a multidisciplinary approach. By combining clinical expertise, cutting-edge surgical interventions and long-term patient support, the centre continues to help children with congenital heart diseases achieve improved health outcomes and quality of life.
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