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Nashik doctor enters Limca Book of Records for remvoing iron rod from patient's brain

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Dr Rahul Modagi with patient Pallavi Shelke
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Neurosurgeon Dr Rahul Modgi's name has been entered in the Limca Book of Records for successfully operating and removing an iron hook accidentally embedded 10 cms deep into a patient's brain.

Dr Modagi performed this surgery in December 2012 at Sai Baba Super Specialty Hospital in Shirdi when a 16-year-old girl, Pallavi Shelke, was brought to the hospital in state of coma. A CT scan of her brain revealed that an iron hook was embedded deep in the right side of her brain.

Pallavi was walking along the road in her village, Wakadi about 20 kms from Shirdi, when the hook of a tractor suddenly fell and hit her head after which she lost consciousness. Her parents took her to a hospital in Shrirampur but were asked to see a surgeon immediately.

"It was hours after the accident that Pallavi was brought to the Shirdi hospital. A part of her right brain was protruding out from a hole in her head. The CT scan revealed that her condition was critical. The iron hook had to be turned and straightened inside the brain to avoid any further damage while removing it. It was removed after three hours of surgery", stated Dr Modagi.

During the operation, the brain had to be accessed by cutting open a part of the patient's skull. This was replaced in June 2013 after recovering from the brain injury by a cranioplasty surgery at Wockhardt hospital in Nashik. "The portion of the skull, which was removed, was kept in the hospital in sterilized conditions. It was fitted back to the skull of the patient. The recovery in both phases of the operation has been remarkable", stated Dr Modagi who is now practising at Wockhardt hospital in Nashik.

There were many challenges that the surgeon had to take care of like infections, septicaemia, titanus. "The patient was in a comatose stage and there was danger of hematoma (loss and collection of blood near the injury), and as the foreign piece which was embedded was a iron hook, there were chances of infection. Fortunately the operation went off well and all conditions were controlled. The patient responded very well", Dr Modagi recollects.

As the right side of the brain was injured, Pallavi's left side, particularly her left hand was paralysed. However, with physiotherapy, she can now walk, stand and take care of herself. She has a little problem with grip on her left hand presently. Pallavi, who is a std 12th student, has lost one year due to her operations and recovery. She is also left handed and has been given a medical certificate for her left hand impairment. She is now studying for her exams and will appear with the help of a writer.

Pallavi's parents are relieved now. "We had lost hope. As she was in coma we thought we had lost our daughter but the operation saved her and all is well now", says her father Vijay Shelke.

After achieving this feat, Dr Modgai had submitted a paper on this rare operation. The Limca Book of Records has recognised his efforts in its online publication in the medical science section with the title — longest iron rod removed from brain.

Photo - Dr Rahul Modagi with patient Pallavi
Dr Rahul Modagi, Neurosurgeon

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