Persistent abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss appeared to signal the beginning of a life-or-death battle that 67-year-old Mrs. L.T.Đ could never have anticipated. However, thanks to a comprehensive treatment strategy and advanced surgical techniques, doctors at Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City) successfully performed a major surgery, completely removing a malignant ovarian tumor complicated by a colonic fistula — an extremely dangerous condition once considered “incurable.”
A Surprising Diagnosis from Silent Symptoms
On March 21, 2025, Mrs. L.T.Đ was admitted to Vinmec Central Park International Hospital with prolonged abdominal pain, fatigue, and a weight loss of 7 kilograms over just three months.
Through examination and diagnosis, doctors discovered a 10–12 cm mass in the abdominal area, located in the left ovary and classified as high risk of malignancy (ORADS 5). Ultrasound imaging and clinical examination also revealed that the tumor was tightly adhered to the colon, with the presence of gas inside — an extremely rare finding in ovarian tumors, raising strong suspicion of a colonic fistula complication.
Instead of proceeding with immediate intervention, the doctors opted for additional diagnostic procedures, including an MRI and a colonoscopy, to accurately determine the patient’s condition. The results confirmed the initial concern: a fistula had formed between the colon and the ovarian tumor. If surgery had been performed right away, the risk of fecal leakage, peritonitis, and the need for a colostomy would have been extremely high.
Given the patient’s debilitated state, marked by anemia and malnutrition, Vinmec’s multidisciplinary medical board decided to postpone surgery to focus on preoperative health optimization.
During the 7 days prior to surgery, the patient received comprehensive care, including blood transfusions, iron supplementation, and nutritional therapy, under the close supervision and collaboration of Vinmec’s hematology, nutrition, ICU, anesthesiology, gynecology, and gastrointestinal surgery departments.
“I came in here like a withered tree. After being given blood and nutrients, I feel like I’ve been revived,” the patient shared emotionally.
A Major Surgery – Two Specialties – Six Hours to Save a Life
Once the patient’s condition stabilized, Vinmec’s medical team performed a 6-hour major surgery, led by Dr. Nguyen Chi Quang (Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology), Dr. Nguyen Van Nghia (Gastrointestinal Surgery), international expert William A. Casteleins, and the anesthesiology team.
The malignant ovarian tumor was firmly adhered to the rectum, pelvic wall, and the entire sigmoid colon. During dissection, a perforation in the colon was found, confirming the preoperative diagnosis. The surgical team simultaneously performed two major procedures: removal of the uterus, bilateral adnexa (both ovaries and fallopian tubes), left colon resection, omentectomy (removal of the omentum), and extensive lymph node dissection around the pelvic and aortic areas.
A critical highlight of the surgery was the use of an automatic stapling device to reconnect the colon during the operation, successfully restoring digestive continuity and helping the patient avoid a temporary colostomy—significantly shortening the recovery time.
“If we had split this into two surgeries, the risks would have been extremely high. The optimal solution was to address everything definitively in one operation,” explained Dr. Nguyen Chi Quang.
Post-Surgery Recovery Highlights the Power of Multidisciplinary Care at Vinmec
After surgery, the patient was closely monitored in the Intensive Care Unit, with a strong focus on nutritional support and functional rehabilitation. Thanks to effective collaboration among multiple specialties, Ms. Đ. made a strong recovery, maintained a stable mental state, and has since returned for regular follow-up visits.
"I’m deeply grateful to the doctors and nurses at Vinmec. Not only are they highly skilled, but they were also incredibly attentive and compassionate. Today, my health has almost completely returned to normal," she shared emotionally.
The success of this highly complex surgery not only showcases the superior expertise of Vinmec's medical team but also demonstrates the effectiveness of its multidisciplinary treatment model — where every step, from diagnosis to surgery and recovery, is carefully coordinated and holistically managed.
With cutting-edge equipment such as MRI and Hybrid operating rooms, along with a team of seasoned experts, Vinmec stands as one of the few medical institutions in Vietnam capable of performing complex major surgeries with high precision.
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