KMCRI Doctors Pull Off the Impossible: Meter-Long Rod Removed from Patient’s Chest
Hubli EXPRESS News: In a stunning display of medical expertise, doctors at the Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute (KMCRI), formerly known as KIMS, have successfully performed an extraordinarily rare and complex surgery. The operation involved removing a meter-long rod with a 15-inch circumference that had penetrated the chest of a 27-year-old truck cleaner during a harrowing accident.
A Race Against Time
In the early hours of Wednesday, Dayanand, a resident of Javalmakki village in Sirsi taluk, Uttar Kannada district, found himself in a life-threatening situation. The truck he was traveling in toppled near Ranebennur around 4:30 AM, causing him to fall onto a roadside fencing rod, which pierced his chest.
Quick-thinking fire and emergency personnel at the scene cut the protruding part of the rod, leaving the remainder lodged in Dayanand’s body. Initially taken to a private hospital in Davangere, he was turned away due to a lack of specialist doctors on the holiday. Fate then brought him to KMCRI at noon, where a team of dedicated medical professionals sprang into action.
Upon arrival, Dr. Nagaraj Chandi, Head of the Emergency Department, immediately began treatment with fluid resuscitation and intubation. A team of surgeons, led by Dr. Ramesh Hosamani, quickly assembled to assess the patient and prepare for the challenging operation ahead.
News of this rare and challenging case reached KMCRI’s top brass – Director Dr. SF Kammar, Medical Superintendent Dr. Ishwar Hasabi, and Principal Dr. Gurushantappa Yalagacchin – who swiftly mobilized resources to expedite the procedure. Seven units of blood were arranged, and the staff began preparing the operating theater with urgency.
Given the unusual nature of Dayanand’s injury, standard diagnostic procedures were impossible. Dr. Veena Maradi, the on-duty radiologist, performed an eFAST (Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma) exam, as a CT scan was ruled out due to the rod’s length.
Recognizing the potential cardiac complications, the team called upon cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Kobanna Kattimani for intraoperative assistance. By 1:30 PM, Dayanand was wheeled into the major operating theater for an emergency thoracotomy and chest exploration.
The surgical team, led by Dr. Ramesh Hosmani and including Dr. Vijay Kamat, Dr. Vinayak Byatappanavar, and Dr. Vasat Teggimani, embarked on the intricate procedure. Anesthesiologist Dr. Dharmesh Ladhad provided crucial support with single lung ventilation.
After two and a half hours of intense, challenging surgery, the team successfully removed the rod, marking a remarkable victory in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
During press briefing, KMCRI director Dr SF Kammar, principal Dr Gurushantappa Yalagacchin, medical superintendent Dr Ishwar Hasabi, anesthesiologists Dr Madhuri, Dr Dharamesh, HoD of emergency medicine Dr Nagaraj Chandi, RMO Dr Siddeshwar Katkol, Dr Rajashekhar Dyaberi and others were present.
