Thaindian News

New Delhi, April 20 (IANS) Doctors here are facing a tough challenge in saving the life of a Côte d’Ivoire citizen, who was seriously injured when iron rods jutting out of a truck pierced his body, damaging the main artery of right arm, portion of his lungs and the thoracic valve.
Adoma, 22, and Cheick, 22, both information technology (IT) students, had a major accident when two iron rods pierced their bodies after a collision of their car with the iron-rod carrying truck near Savitri cinema in south Delhi early Monday. Doctors Tuesday said the condition of Adoma is critical even after infusing 48 units of blood and blood products.

“He is conscious now but is in a very serious condition,” M.C. Mishra, head of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Trauma Centre, said.

“There was excessive blood loss. He was given 33 units of blood in the operation theatre Monday. He is currently in the intensive care unit (ICU) under ventilation. At least 15 more units of blood have been given to the patient after surgery,” added Mishra, who is overseeing the situation.

Cheick is out of danger and may be discharged from hospital in two-three days.

Mishra said there are several challenges before his team of doctors. “The unclean rods have gone inside his body and this poses a major challenge. Tackling infection will be key challenge that we have to deal with in a couple of days.”

Adoma has already given nearly 50 units of blood and this is another challenge. Rejection or blood clot in legs cannot be ruled out, doctors said. He may also need another surgery if things don’t go well with his pierced lung.

“We are awaiting to see if he can breath normally. We will come to know about it within a week and if there is wind leak, then it will pose another challenge. He is extremely critical,” Mishra added.

Doctors said that the truck carrying iron rods did not have indicators and these students were also speeding. Two iron rods pierced the wind screen of their car, entered Adoma’s right arm, chest and then the seat. Cheick, who was sitting behind the driver’s seat, was wounded on his leg by one rod that pierced through Adoma’s body.

“The rods weighing about 15 kg each had pierced through his lungs. We have removed a portion of it. The thoracic wall was also damaged,” said Amit Gupta, one of the surgeons who operated upon him.

“The operation lasted nearly four hours. But we removed the rods within an hour. The rest of the time was spent repairing the damaged body parts,” Manesh Singhal, another doctor who operated upon him, said.

Another doctor, Prem Prakash, said the iron rods missed his heart and spinal cord. “This was God’s grace and was a great relief for us,” he added. Doctors said his blood pressure is under control.

Hospital authorities said they have already informed the Côte d’Ivoire embassy in New Delhi. The ambassador has already visited the hospital.