At 100+, Mumbai's Veteran ENT Surgeon Seeks an ENT's Opinion - A Simple Video Laryngoscopy to Rule out The Worst
In a rare full-circle moment, the life-saving procedure was performed by an ENT surgeon at Jaslok who was once his own patient
L-R Dr. A. C. Johri (patient), Dr. Divya Prabhat and Mrs. Meena Saxena (daughter of patient)
In a remarkable medical full-circle moment, Dr. A. C. Johari, a veteran ENT surgeon aged over 100 years, recently sought treatment for his own throat complaints at Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre. A doctor who has spent decades examining and treating patients with ENT disorders, Dr. Johari visited the Jaslok ENT outpatient department with persistent throat irritation, a sensation of a foreign body or lump in the throat, and considerable difficulty swallowing food.
Dr. Johari, who trained at K.E.M. Hospital, Mumbai, has been associated with ENT practice in the city for over six decades. Given his age and symptoms, there was understandable concern about whether there could be a more serious underlying condition. A video laryngoscopy was therefore performed at the Jaslok Hospital to examine the throat and larynx in detail.
The examination revealed a small pouch-like abnormality in the pharyngeal region, which is-- a benign condition with no evidence of a sinister underlying disease. The findings provided significant reassurance to Dr. Johari, who was able to see the laryngoscopy images himself.
“When an ENT surgeon of Dr. Johari’s experience presents with symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, a foreign-body sensation or a persistent feeling of something being stuck in the throat, it is understandable that there may be concern about a more serious underlying condition. In his case, the video- laryngoscopy provided immediate clarity. The findings were reassuring and indicated a benign condition. It was particularly gratifying to see the relief when he could see the findings himself. Sometimes, timely examination can provide not just a diagnosis, but tremendous reassurance to a patient,” said Dr. Divya Prabhat, Consultant ENT Surgery, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre.
The case carried an unusual coincidence as well. Years earlier, Dr. Johari had performed a sinus procedure on Dr. Divya Prabhat. Decades later, the roles were reversed, with Dr. Johari becoming the patient and Dr. Prabhat performing his video- laryngoscopy at Jaslok Hospital.
“Having spent my entire professional life examining and treating patients with ENT complaints, I know how symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or a sensation of something being stuck in the throat can create apprehensions. When I experienced these symptoms myself, I too wanted to know exactly what was happening. The video- laryngoscopy gave me that answer and, more importantly, the reassurance that there was nothing sinister. It was also remarkable to have the
examination performed by a doctor whom I had treated 5 decades ago. Medicine can bring us full circle in the most unexpected ways,” said Dr. A. C. Johari, veteran ENT surgeon.
Following the reassuring findings, Dr. Johari was advised medical management for the benign condition. His case highlights that while symptoms such as persistent throat irritation, a foreign-body sensation, a feeling of a lump or difficulty swallowing can cause anxiety, they can also arise from benign conditions. Timely ENT evaluation and appropriate examination can help establish the cause and provide reassurance.
“Healthcare is ultimately about trust, and there is something particularly meaningful when a doctor who has spent a lifetime caring for patients places that same trust in another doctor. Dr. Johari’s journey is remarkable because it brings his own medical journey full circle. At Jaslok, we are honoured to have been able to provide him with the expertise and reassurance he needed. His experience reminds us that no matter how experienced we are as doctors, when we become patients ourselves, we all value clarity, compassion and trust in our care like any other patient,” said Jitendra Haryan, CEO, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre.
For a surgeon who spent a lifetime treating others, this time the examination was for himself — making Dr. Johari’s visit to Jaslok a remarkable reminder that even doctors sometimes need a doctor.
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