A rare case of extraction of a bullet from the lungs
A rare case of extraction of a bullet from the lungs was achieved at Aster RV Hospitals. It was a remarkable feat in the field of cardio thoracic surgery of successfully removing a bullet lodged in the chest wall of a 21-year-old young man from Yemen for close to two years.
Wasim (name changed) walked into the hospital with persistent cough, breathing difficulties, and blood in sputum, prompting a visit to a pulmonologist. An X-ray revealed a metallic object within the chest wall, but there were no external signs of injury. Further investigation through CT chest imaging unveiled the presence of a bullet that had traveled obliquely, lodging itself between the lung, liver, heart and diaphragm.
The 21-year-old youth from the war-torn states of Yemen has been given a new lease of life. The young man, who had been grappling with severe pain due to a bullet lodged in his lung from the civil unrest that has shattered his homeland, now breathes a sigh of relief. Caught in the crossfire of civil unrest in Yemen, the young man sustained multiple gunshot wounds, one of which left a bullet trapped in his right lung. While his wounds seemingly healed on the surface, the lurking bullet remained a constant source of pain.
Unfortunately for him, his Fracture in the arm and shoulder issues were attended to at the time of the injury and the bullet was ignored. Persistant cough, pain in the lower part of the chest and breathing difficulties made him look out for alternative treatments and diagnose the right problems. After visiting several hospitals, where the cause of his pain remained undiagnosed, his plight seemed to be without end. The youngster's anguish was not merely physical; the emotional and financial strain of his incapacitation weighed heavily upon his family. It was a relentless cycle of pain and worry which lead him to Aster RV Hospital, JP Nagar Bengaluru.
A comprehensive examination was undertaken. It was this rigorous scrutiny that brought to light the true cause of his suffering a 4x2x2 cm bullet, menacingly positioned near critical structures in his right lung. The subsequent surgery was a meticulous and strategic two-hour procedure that demanded the utmost precision. The removal of the bullet was a delicate operation, performed without compromising any surrounding organs.
Post surgery, the patient has made a remarkable recovery, illustrating the minimal invasiveness and exceptional expertise of the surgical team. This life altering surgery has returned to him his livelihood and the ability to sustain his family. This young man's story is a poignant reminder of the life-altering impact that skilled medical intervention can have.
"This case presented unique challenges due to the delicate nature of the affected organs – the heart, lung, diaphragm, and liver," explained Dr. Divakar Bhat. Precision and meticulous planning were crucial to ensure the safety of the patient during surgery. The surgery, performed with fluoroscopic guidance, required a precise incision tailored to the size of the bullet to minimize damage to surrounding structures. Despite the infection surrounding the bullet, our expertise ensured its safe removal inspite of minimal margin from vital organs.
"The success of this surgery underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and meticulous planning in tackling complex cases. It was a one of its kind case for me in my 25 years of performing such complex surgeries and I am grateful for the seamless coordination among our team and the trust placed in our care by the patient and his family."
Post-surgery, the young man exhibited a remarkable recovery, displaying an appetite for food immediately after the procedure. He was discharged the following day, having returned to a normal post-surgery state.
