Berhampur: A 24-year-old man from Ganjam district got a fresh lease of life after doctors at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur successfully removed an eight-centimetre-long knife fragment that had remained lodged in his right lung for three years following a stabbing incident.
The patient, Santosh Das of Kabisurya Nagar, was stabbed on the left side of his neck by a miscreant while he was working as a labourer in Bangalore. At the time, he had received treatment and appeared to have recovered. Sometime later, he developed a persistent dry cough for which, following doctor’s advice, he underwent a nine-month course for tuberculosis treatment.
However, after nearly two years, he began coughing up blood. His family rushed him to MKCG. On Saturday, following an X-ray, CT scan, and bronchoscopy, doctors discovered the knife fragment lodged in his right lung.
A team led by Dr Sarada Prasanna Sahoo, associate professor in the cardiothoracic and vascular surgery (CTVS) department, performed a right thoracotomy on Tuesday to remove the steel fragment, which was 8cm long, 2.5cm wide and 3mm thick.
“To our surprise, the foreign body had travelled from the left side of the neck to the right lung without damaging any vital organs. This case stands out due to the length of time the object had remained undetected and the minimal symptoms the patient exhibited,” said Dr Sahoo.
Sahoo said the complex procedure involved around eight doctors from the CTVS and anaesthesia departments, supported by nursing officers and paramedical staff. The patient is currently recovering in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and is said to be in stable condition.