Following the admission of Siddaganga seer Shivakumara Swami to Chennai’s Dr Rela Institute & Medical Centre, the hospital released a press statement on Friday evening on his condition. It said that he was admitted there for further management of his liver and bile duct infection-related problems. The hospital added that they were closely monitoring him, treating his liver infection and exploring further treatment options.
On Friday afternoon, the 111 year-old chief of the Siddaganga mutt, Shivakumara Swami, was airlifted from Bengaluru to Chennai for further treatment after having been diagnosed with cholecystitis.
Speaking to the media, Dr Mohamed Rela, the chairman and director of Dr Rela Institute and Medical Centre in Chennai’s Chromepet, explained that the Swami was suffering from an inflammation of the gall bladder and requires a liver bypass surgery. As per reports in TOI, the stated that the condition was commonly seen in a younger age group, but was rarely seen in the elderly.
“The only option is a liver bypass. We still have to assess his condition before deciding on operating him as his age is a major factor,” he said to TOI. Mohamed Rela had earlier treated the seer two years ago. He had previously been fixed with 11 stents in the liver, some of which were subsequently removed.
Doctors in Bengaluru who were treating the seer discussed the option of a surgery to remove the gallbladder after assessing his condition, but are cautious about the same because of his old age.
The seer complained of fever on Saturday, December 1, following which he was taken to BGS Hospitals where it was found that three of his stents had come off. In a one-and-a-half-hour procedure following this, two more stents were placed and he was discharged on Monday. However, the fever returned on Wednesday night. Doctors were called in who examined him at the mutt and treated him and were able to stabilise his condition.
Dr Rela Institute releases medical bulletin on the health of Siddaganga Mutt chief who was admitted to its hospital in #Chennai | @DeccanHerald pic.twitter.com/LAkHeNPg58
— Sivapriyan E.T.B. (@sivaetb) December 7, 2018
Cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gallbladder which occurs when there is a blockage of the cystic duct due to any gallstones or biliary sludge. While acute forms of the condition are not life threatening, if left untreated, it can pose greater complications.