In a rare medical-surgical feat of its kind, a malignant 24-kg fimbrial tumour of the size of two footballs was removed from the abdomen of a woman at Tura Maternity and Child Hospital in Meghalaya, doctors said on August 4.

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Health Department officials informed that 37-year-old, a native of Jamge village under East Garo Hills district, was brought to Tura Maternity and Child Hospital on July 29 after she complained of severe abdominal pain and was operated on August 3. "This was the first rare surgery in the district hospital and a team of doctors, including two gynecologists successfully performed the surgery and removed the tumour," the Tura Maternity and Child Hospital Superintendent told UNI over phone.

The tumour has been sent for a biopsy to find out if it was cancerous, she said, adding that the patient was stable and under medical observation. The two and half hour operation was led by senior gynecologist Vince C M Momin, Dr. Blandina Marak (Anaesthetist) and assisted by Dr Dylan Momim (gynaecologist) besides Staff Nurse Christ Noel Sangma and Operation Theater technician Arnold Sangma. Sangma said that one of the doctors also donated blood to the patient which was later recouped by family members to the blood bank. The District Magistrate of West Garo Hills also informed that one of the community members came forward with financial assistance to the patient. "We appreciate the effort made by doctors and community members in saving the precious life," he acknowledged.