Medica Group of Hospitals, the largest private hospital chain in Eastern India, at its flagship facility Medica Superspecialty Hospital in Kolkata conducted a life-saving trauma care treatment on a 30-year-old male from Hasnabad, Nandanpur Kolkata. The team of experienced doctors from the GI Surgery department and Medica’s care team joined together for this case. The team put in their combined efforts under the leadership of Dr. Udipta Ray, Senior Consultant GI Surgery, Medica Superspecialty Hospital along with the care team of Medica ensured to achieve this momentous feat on 13^th September 2022.

Mr. Sujoy Chakraborty, 30, of Hasnabad, Nandanpur, earns his living by loading and unloading trucks equipped with construction materials. On September 13th, at 2:45 a.m., he was being driven back home on a tempo when the driver lost control and crashed the tempo into a metro construction site near Medica. Sujoy was severely injured and was screaming in immense pain. He was evacuated from the site in less than an hour and admitted under Swasthya Saathi to Medica’s emergency room at 4 a.m.

“It was late at night, the roads were empty, and I was driving the tempo at rapid speed. I somehow lost control, and the car was immediately crushed against some iron rods from the metro construction site, one of which went through Sujoy’s upper side of his right arm,” the driver explained.

After seeing his condition, he was rushed to the operation theatre & was instantly provided with adequate ice fluids and other medication for pain relief and to stop the bleeding. A large portion of the rod was protruding on each side of the wound, causing extensive injury to the surrounding tissues, muscles, and skin. Due to the exigency, Medica had to arrange for a metal cutter to cut one end of the rod very near the skin so that the other portion could be removed easily. The rod was gently removed, taking complete control of the joint, the primary bone of the upper arm, muscles, and skin to prevent these tissues from any further damage. However, the skin was lacerated and abraded, and the edges of the skin were completely burnt due to the heat of the cutter.

Later when the rod was removed, the bleeding vessels from the muscles were all secured, and the dead/damaged tissues that were permanently destroyed during the accident were all removed, leaving fresh tissues to recover. The bleeding was completely stopped, and as much muscle repair as feasible was performed. Because the wound had dust, dirt, iron particles from the rod, and even the patient’s clothes within, it required thorough cleaning to avoid infections. The wound was thoroughly washed with normal saline and was carefully cleansed.

An adequate functional assessment was performed following the successful removal of the rod and proper wound care, indicating that the patient recovered well from the surgery. To avoid any loss of muscle activity, early physiotherapy was initiated. The bleeding was controlled and prevented even after the post-operative period with proper gauge piece packing. After ensuring that the patient was stable, the wound was healthy, and there was no bleeding, the appropriate dressing was initiated, and the patient was discharged with physiotherapy.

Dr. Udipta Ray, who led the operation, said, “Sujoy was in a state of shock after seeing the pool of blood when he was brought to Medica. He screamed in pain. This was one of the most serious cases I had seen in a long time. To begin with, being a doctor, and working as an expert welder was a very challenging situation for me. Second, the removal of the rod could have further damaged the skin because it was already burnt from the heat of the cutter, and third, the rod could have injured the main bone of the upper arm, the ‘humerus,’ and caused a dislocation of the joint because any manipulation of the rod could only be done with the patient under full anesthesia. As a result, preventing the damaged adjacent joints and bones was a critical issue and it was taken care of during the entire procedure. We are pleased to see Sujoy’s quick recovery despite the difficulties.”

He further added, “Because of his financial circumstances, he was worried while being admitted to the hospital. We wasted no time because he had his Swasthya Saathi card and promptly admitted him to the scheme. This did not offer him with adequate comfort from his physical suffering, but it did provide him with mental relief.”

The patient is said to be doing well at the time of the follow-up, with full functional recovery of the arm. The procedure was not only lifesaving, but it was also a remarkable limb-saving surgery at Medica. Saving the right arm from amputation makes a huge difference for a daily earner.