In a groundbreaking medical achievement, doctors in Pune have successfully restored the urinary function of a 28-year-old woman who had lost bladder control due to an autoimmune tumour, allowing her to regain a normal life. Following the innovative procedure, which involved the implantation of a new urinary tract and an artificial sphincter, she not only overcame a severe medical condition but also went on to get married, conceive and recently give birth to a healthy baby.
The complex surgical procedure was performed at UroKul-Kulkarni UroSurgery Institute, Baner, in collaboration with Umarji Hospital, Baner, marking a first-of-its-kind medical success in India. The case was discussed at a press conference held at UroKul Hospital, Baner, where experts, including the renowned urologist Dr Sanjay Kulkarni, the world's first female laparoscopic surgeon Dr Jyotsna Kulkarni, gynaecologist Dr Chinmay Umarji, urologists Dr Pankaj Joshi, Dr Amit Hosmani, Dr Shreyas Bhadranwar, oncologist Dr Uday Chandankhede, CEO Dr Abhay Chaudhari and Dr Rajesh Deshpande, President of Baner-Balewadi Medical Association, were present.
Dr Kulkarni shared that the patient, Anjali, a young woman from Mumbai, first approached UroKul in 2022 after developing an autoimmune tumour between her urinary tract and vaginal canal, which led to the complete dissolution of her urethra. The loss of bladder control forced her to rely on 10–12 diapers daily due to continuous urine leakage. Prior treatments, including antibiotics and immunotherapy, further deteriorated her condition, making her future uncertain.
Faced with a complex and rare case, the medical team opted for a two-stage surgical intervention. The first surgery was conducted in April 2022, in which a new urinary tract was reconstructed using vaginal tissue, restoring the ability to pass urine but without bladder control. In the second surgery in October 2022, an artificial urinary sphincter was implanted between the urinary tract and vaginal canal, enabling complete bladder control.
The procedures were successful, allowing the patient to regain a fully functional urinary system. She later got married, conceived naturally, and, four days ago, delivered a healthy baby boy, stated Dr Kulkarni.
