This is a story of two little girls, two families in distress, and a 24-hour stretch that tested everything I’ve learnt as a paediatric surgeon.
Let’s begin with the first. A bright and inquisitive 6-year-old girl, known in her school for asking questions that make even adults pause, was brought to the emergency department late one evening with severe abdominal pain and persistent vomiting. Her parents mentioned she had been unwell for a week, but the symptoms had worsened in the last two days with a high-grade fever and a distended abdomen. Movement had become painful, and she could barely walk.
Though it was shift-change time and the hospital was bustling, the on-call paediatric team quickly recognised the urgency. A CT scan confirmed the diagnosis: ruptured appendicitis. It was a surgical emergency.
Just an hour earlier, I had wrapped up my day and was finally settling down after an already demanding schedule. That’s when my phone rang.
“Hi, Doctor,” the voice said. “I know we just spoke not even an hour ago, but we need you back urgently.” At that moment, I knew the next 24 hours would stretch my resilience and demand clarity in the face of pressure.
Get expert paediatric surgical care today
Earlier that same day, I had seen another child, our second little fighter in this story. A two-year-old girl who had been vomiting intermittently for days, with sudden, severe abdominal pain that vanished as mysteriously as it appeared. Her parents had visited multiple clinics without answers. She had just turned two and was terrified of doctors and hospitals.
She appeared physically normal, but something didn’t sit right. Trusting my instincts, I ordered a CT scan. The results were shocking: malrotation with volvulus, a rare and dangerous condition where the intestines twist and cut off their own blood supply. It was remarkable that she had lasted this long without severe complications.
The surgery was scheduled for the following morning at 8 a.m. after careful counselling with her shaken but understanding parents.
Then came the call that night about the 6-year-old. I reached the hospital by 10 p.m. and was met with a very sick child in intense pain. After quick counselling, we proceeded with an emergency laparoscopic appendectomy, a procedure I often perform as a laparoscopic surgeon in Dubai.
It was a difficult surgery with a ruptured appendix and pus-filled abdomen, but by 2 a.m., it was done. She was stable.
I returned home around 3 a.m., completely exhausted but deeply relieved. Just five hours later, I was back in the operating room for the second girl. Despite barely three hours of sleep, my mind was clear.
By 10 a.m., the surgery was successfully completed. The malrotation was corrected. She would no longer suffer from those terrifying, twisting episodes. Her parents, though, overwhelmed by the events of the past week, were finally at peace.
On my drive home, though my body ached, I had a quiet smile on my face. Both girls were safe. Both would go home. Both would return to the joy of childhood, thanks to swift action and teamwork.
For me, this is what it means to be a paediatric surgeon. These are the days when all the long hours of training and the weight of responsibility find meaning. No awards or accolades compare to the peace that comes from knowing you’ve changed the course of two young lives.
As a paediatric surgeon in Dubai, I often find myself navigating unpredictable days like these, where every minute matters, and the stakes are measured in childhoods saved. These moments, while exhausting, are reminders of why I chose this path. It is a privilege to care for children and their families during their most vulnerable hours.
From complex conditions like malrotation to emergency appendicitis treatment in Dubai, every case is a reminder of how swift diagnosis and teamwork can change lives.
Dr. Bhushanrao Jadhav
Dr. Bhushanrao Jadhav is a highly skilled Pediatric Surgeon and Urologist specialising in minimally invasive and robotic surgeries for children. With advanced training from leading institutions in the UK, India and USA, he brings expertise in treating complex genitourinary conditions and neonatal surgical ailments. Driven by compassion and innovation, Dr. Jadhav has pioneered pediatric robotic surgery programs in Pune, India, ensuring world-class care tailored to children’s unique needs.
