CHENNAI: Doctors at the Institute of Child Health (ICH), Egmore, have saved a two-year-old child after an iron rod pierced through his mouth and neck.
Alvin Anto, the toddler from Chengalpet, fell into a 10 feet deep construction pit while he was playing in front of his home on Monday evening. The pit, which was dug by to set up a sump, was not covered and had iron rods. A half-inch-wide rod pierced Anto's mouth while he was stuck in the pit.
Terrence Kevin, Anto's elder brother, 5, alerted her mother, who sought help from neighbours. Even though her neighbours helped in getting an ambulance (108 emergency services), the crew couldn't help much. Fire and rescue services were called in. Anto's father, Kolanthai Yesu, called a welder to cut the bottom portion of the rod. “We covered his face with a wet cloth so that the welding process did not cause him any damage," he said.
While they were cutting the rod, Anto, who was bleeding, writhed in pain. He was rushed to Chengalpet Government Medical College Hospital, where first aid was given. Doctors there referred him to ICH for surgery. Duty surgeon Anirudhan and anaesthetist Srinivasan had three problems before proceeding with the surgery -- they did not have access to the airway, bleeding, and body position.
Anto could not be put in a supine position (face facing up) on the surgery table. Since a 59 cm rod was stuck in his mouth, doctors were unable to intubate (insert a tube through mouth or nose) him for providing anaesthesia before a surgery.
Doctors then sought the help of R Velmurugan, Professor and Head, Department of Paediatric Surgery. After sedating the patient, he removed the rod and repaired the injuries on the floor of the mouth, neck and then reconstructed the tongue in the next 45 minutes. S Ezhilarasi, ICH Director, said, “Luckily, the rod did not damage the spinal cord, neck or vital nerves.
“We were able to safeguard the airway. The child was kept in ventilation for one day and is now able to eat and speak properly.”
