On the morning of July 8, 2025, a special surgery took place at the Central Lung Hospital when a team of 11 medical staff from the Central Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital coordinated to successfully perform cesarean section surgery for a pregnant woman with severe resistant pulmonary tuberculosis, who is 35 weeks pregnant. The emergency surgery not only saved the mother and child's lives but also demonstrated the effectiveness of the inter-hospital coordination model between end-line hospitals.
Complex cases need to be decided promptly
The mother L.T.H (30 years old) was diagnosed with anti- rifampicin lung cancer, a dangerous drug-resistant tumor, and recurred after 3 years of treatment. The severe damage to both lungs, especially the left lung, almost completely lost function, causing her to face the risk of serious respiratory failure as the fetus grows.
Recognizing that this was a particularly dangerous case that could threaten the lives of both mother and child if they continued to wait until the full moon, the two final hospitals consulted urgently and decided to perform cesarean section surgery right at the Central Lung Hospital - where the mother is receiving intensive respiratory treatment.
The outpatient team of the Central Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, resuscitation doctors, neonators, technicians and nurses, was present at the scene with full equipment, medicine, cages... to be ready for on-site surgery.
Meanwhile, the Central Lung Hospital team is in charge of preoperative resuscitation, closely monitoring respiratory condition and adjusting tuberculosis treatment parameters to bring the mother to the most stable state before entering the operating room.
The miracle of harmonious coordination
After just over 30 minutes of stressful surgery, the 2,200-gram boy was born safely. The baby was kept warm, supported with respiratory support using a mobile cage and quickly transferred to the Neonatal Center - Central Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital for intensive care.
Dr. Nguyen Duy Hung - Deputy Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Central Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, the leader of the surgical team, said: "The pregnancy of both drug-resistant and/or resistant tuberculosis is an extremely big challenge. The smooth coordination between the two hospitals helps us achieve the most important thing: to protect the safety of both mother and child".
MSc. Dr. CKII Nguyen Viet Nghia - Head of the Department of Anesthesia and Resuscitation, Central Lung Hospital shared: We have been prepared for any possible incidents, especially respiratory complications under the basis of severe tuberculosis. This success is a testament to the effectiveness of close and professional cooperation".
This is not the first time the Central Lung Hospital has coordinated with the Central Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital to perform emergency surgery on a pregnant woman with severe respiratory disease. Nearly 10 similar cases have been performed in recent years, forming an increasingly professional, rhythmic and effective inter-hospital coordination model.
