A patient from Suffolk says a pioneering procedure at Ipswich Hospital has completely changed his life.
Gordon Neal, 81, had a rare condition called bowel angina, which caused severe pain every time he ate or even thought about food. Over a few years he lost around four stone and found it almost impossible to live normally.
That all changed thanks to a new, non‑invasive treatment carried out by Dr Musaad Qurash and his team — the first time it has ever been done at ESNEFT.
The team used a technique called shockwave intravascular lithotripsy. It worked by sending soundwaves into the artery to break up hardened calcium that was blocking blood flow to Gordon’s bowel. A small stent was then inserted to keep the artery open.
Mr Musaad Alapatt (right) with Gordon Neal.
This method is usually used on arteries in the legs, not the bowel, and it meant Gordon, from Martlesham, didn’t need major surgery or a general anaesthetic. Gordon stayed in hospital overnight before going home the next day.
Gordon said: “I can’t explain how bad it was — I was in absolute agony. It made me wonder whether life was worth living.
“I tried a low‑fat diet and even had a balloon angioplasty, but nothing worked. This new treatment was wonderful. It has changed my life.”
Normally, patients with this condition need a big operation where a graft is inserted into the abdomen, often from the shoulder. For someone Gordon’s age, that would have been risky.
Dr Qurash said: “We didn’t give up. With careful planning — and the patient’s determination — we were able to achieve an excellent result.
“This approach is significantly better for the patient. It is minimally invasive, avoids general anaesthesia and surgical incisions, does not require antibiotics afterwards, and allows patients to return home the same day or the following day.”
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