Mumbai: Doctors remove iron rod from 24-year-old carpenter

In an accident, Rakesh Jadhav, a carpenter working at a construction site in Chembur fell from a height of 13 feet that resulted in a three feet iron rod piercing his chest that passed through his neck and came out his scalp. However, he managed a miraculous escape from instant death, as the rod passed just below the brain. He underwent a successful surgery and the rod was removed at a private hospital in Chembur.

Jadhav, 24, was admitted to Zen Hospital on Tuesday evening soon after the accident. He underwent CT scans before being operated. A team of seven doctors including Dr Batuk Diyora, a neurosurgeon, Dr Tanveer Masjeed, Onco Surgeon and Dr Pramod Kale, a chief anaesthetist performed his surgery.

The surgery which went on for five hours. It was technically demanding as the rod had passed close to vital blood vessels and since it had also passed through the neck administering anaesthesia was difficult. The meticulous removal of the rod was performed taking care of food pipe, windpipe and major blood vessels.

"Pre-operation CT scan and angiograms were performed to check the exact extent of injury to the brain and main blood vessels. Precision was important as even a minute mistake would have led to death on the table as the rod was removed out of brain where it was touching major blood vessels and sinus," said Dr Roy Patankar, Director, Zen Multi Speciality Hospital.

"While the patient is still critical and currently in the ventilator, he is showing signs of improvement and consciousness. CT scan after surgery was also satisfactory. The patient is under-observation and is undergoing CT scan every 12 hours to check internal recovery and blood loss." added Dr Patankar.