Bengaluru: A city hospital has provided a glimmer of hope for a 32-year-old Yemeni national, who had injured his left leg in an accident that happened six months ago and risked amputation.
The Yemeni national, Najeeb, a driver by profession, had to undergo a seven hour long surgery at Vasavi hospital on Tuesday. Doctors claim that after six months of post-operative care, Najeeb would be able to walk again.
After the accident Najeeb was advised by doctors in Yemen to undergo amputation, but he was reluctant. Before arriving in the city he was operated upon six times.
Doctors at Vasavi Hospital, led by orthopedic surgeon Dr Rupendu, chalked out a detailed plan. The accident had Najeeb badly injured. He had sustained compound fractures on his left leg, his right leg and wrist too were
fractured.
As for his left leg there was extensive damage to soft tissues as well. The associated nerves and blood vessels were also badly damaged.
“Treating bone infection in such complicated cases is very challenging. The problem is that the infection does not allow the bone to heal,” said Dr Rupendu.
"Absence of soft tissue was another aspect of the challenge. He had already undergone six procedures before coming to our hospital and the infection was the biggest challenge. There was an implant which was present inside the bone. We had to remove the implant and proceed with the surgery," he added.
The entire length of the leg was stabilized using an external fixture consisting of several pins inserted to the bone from outside and connected together to form a frame. The surgery lasted for more than seven hours.
Doctors claim Najeeb should be able to walk again after six months. “A good post operative care and rehabilitation is very important for such patients. The leg needs to be monitored continuously for any sign of infections,” said Dr Venkatesh Rathod, who was part of the team.
