Navi Mumbai : In a remarkable neuro-rehabilitation success story, Wockhardt Hospitals Mumbai Central helped a 38-year-old man regain the ability to breathe independently after spending nearly six months dependent on a ventilator following a severe cervical spinal cord injury.
The patient, a resident of Hyderabad, had suffered a devastating cervical spinal cord injury following a major accident that left him paralysed below the neck. The injury resulted in complete loss of movement and sensation in his limbs and, most critically, took away his ability to breathe independently.
Initially admitted to an intensive care unit in Hyderabad, he spent nearly two months on continuous ventilator support and remained dependent on assisted breathing for almost six months despite treatment at multiple healthcare centers. Doctors had reportedly informed the family that prolonged ventilator dependence could be unavoidable.
Determined to explore further options, the family approached Dr. Manish Baldia, Consultant Functional Neurosurgeon at Wockhardt Hospitals Mumbai Central, known for his expertise in advanced neuromodulation and phrenic nerve stimulation procedures.
After detailed assessment, the patient was shifted to Mumbai under specialised medical supervision. Attempts to gradually reduce ventilator support revealed dangerously high carbon dioxide retention levels, confirming that he was still unable to breathe adequately on his own.
Following evaluation, Dr.Manish Baldia performed a highly specialised phrenic nerve stimulation procedure, an advanced intervention designed to stimulate the diaphragm by activating the phrenic nerve responsible for breathing.
The response was remarkable. Within just three to four days after the procedure, the patient began showing improvement, and by the third week he was stable enough to be shifted out of the ICU.
“In high cervical spinal cord injuries, communication between the brain and breathing muscles gets disrupted. Through phrenic nerve stimulation, we attempt to bypass that interruption and directly activate the diaphragm so the patient can gradually regain independent breathing,” said Dr. Manish Baldia, Consultant Functional Neurosurgeon, Wockhardt Hospitals Mumbai Central.
He further added, “While this procedure does not reverse the spinal cord injury itself, restoring independent breathing significantly improves quality of life. It allows patients to communicate better, actively participate in rehabilitation and reduce prolonged dependence on critical care support.”
Commenting on the significance of the case, Dr. Virendra Chauhan, Centre Head, Wockhardt Hospitals Mumbai Central, said, “This case reflects how advanced medical expertise and innovation can transform outcomes even in highly challenging situations. Such interventions are opening new possibilities in neuro-rehabilitation and bringing hope to patients and families facing long-term challenges.”
Though the patient continues rehabilitation because of the severity of the spinal cord injury, the impact has been life-changing. He can now breathe independently, speak comfortably with his family and even sing again — something unimaginable just weeks earlier.
The case is believed to be among Mumbai’s first phrenic nerve stimulation procedures performed to restore independent breathing in a patient with severe cervical spinal cord injury, opening new possibilities in advanced neuro-rehabilitation in India.
The success story is now offering renewed hope to patients and families living with severe spinal cord injuries and prolonged ventilator dependence proving that even after months on a ventilator, breathing independence may still be possible.
