Genesis Foundation Enables Scarless Endoscopic Cardiac Surgery for 16-Year-Old, Giving Him a New Lease of Life

Genesis Foundation, with support from CSR donor Assets Care & Reconstruction Enterprises Ltd. (ACRE), facilitated a life-saving scarless endoscopic cardiac surgery for a 16-year-old boy from Faridkot, Punjab. The procedure, performed at Fortis Hospital, Manesar, successfully repaired a large 35 mm hole in the heart, allowing the teenager to recover quickly and lead a healthy life.

Despite multiple consultations, the family had deferred treatment due to concerns about the large scar associated with conventional open-heart surgery. Genesis Foundation stepped in to provide financial assistance, ensuring that the boy could undergo an advanced minimally invasive endoscopic procedure—available at only a few select centers in India.

A team of doctors led by Dr. Mahesh Wadhwani, Director & HOD CTVS, and supported by Dr. Shyamveer Singh Khangarot (Senior Consultant Paediatric CTVS), Dr. Deepak Thakur (Senior Consultant Paediatric Cardiology), Dr. Alok Ranjan Sahoo (Additional Director & HOD Cardiac Anaesthesia), Dr. Garima Biyani (Consultant Paediatric Cardiology) and Dr. Radhika Khare (Attending Consultant Cardiac Anaesthesia), performed the complex five-hour surgery using four tiny incisions under the right armpit—eliminating the need for opening the chest.

Dr. Mahesh Wadhwani, Director & HOD CTVS, and Dr. Shyamveer Singh Khangarot, Senior Consultant Pediatric and Neonatal Cardiac Surgery, Fortis Hospital Manesar, said, “Endoscopic cardiac surgery is among the most advanced and complex procedures, performed at very few centers in India. This approach uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera (endoscope) inserted through small incisions to visualize and operate on the heart. It is most often used for atrial septal defect closures and treatment of other CHD related conditions. The technique enables faster recovery, minimal pain, and avoids the psychological trauma of large chest scars. This case highlights how innovation and precision in cardiac care can transform young lives. We would also like to thank Genesis Foundation, a Gurugram-based NGO, for supporting this case financially through their CSR donor Assets Care & Reconstruction Enterprises Ltd., as the patient’s parents could not afford the surgery.”

The patient’s mother expressed her gratitude, saying,“From the very beginning, we knew my son had a hole in his heart. We visited multiple hospitals across North India, but each time, we were offered conventional open-heart surgery, which meant large scars and a longer, more difficult recovery for our boy. Then we came to Fortis Hospital Manesar, Gurgaon, to meet Dr. Deepak Thakur. After thorough evaluation, we felt reassured. And much to our relief, the team offered a minimally invasive surgical approach - closing the defect without opening his chest. It was a profoundly hopeful moment for us as parents. We are happy to see our child leading a happy and healthy life now.”

Simran Sagar, Operations Director, Genesis Foundation, said, “At Genesis Foundation, our mission is to provide timely medical intervention to critically ill underprivileged children, especially those suffering from congenital heart defects. We are grateful to our CSR donor, Assets Care & Reconstruction Enterprises Ltd., whose support made this life-saving surgery possible. Seeing a young child return to a healthy and normal life reaffirms our commitment to ensuring that no child is denied a chance at life due to financial constraints