Private hospital doctors successfully salvage leg of 57-yr-old woman after severe bus accidentder

NT Correspondent Bengaluru: A team of surgeons at Trilife Hospital has successfully salvaged the left leg of a 57-year-old woman who suffered a severe degloving injury when her feet were run over by a bus. The patient, a resident of Assam, was visiting her daughter, a dentist in Bengaluru when the tragic accident occurred. She sustained extensive damage to her left foot, including the complete loss of the outer skin, along with multiple fractures and damage to various arteries and muscles, making the case particularly complex. The team at Trilife Hospital was able to preserve the limb through a meticulous reconstruction procedure. Initially, the orthopaedic team corrected the fractures, which set the foundation for the subsequent soft tissue reconstruction.

This involved a staged approach, beginning with muscle flap cover age, followed by skin grafting. The entire process demanded not only advanced surgical skills but also a long recovery period involving physiotherapy to help the patient regain normal function. Dr Raghavendra Kaladagi, Consultant Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Trilife Hospital remarked on the complexity of the case. “This was a challenging situation that necessitated a multidisciplinary approach. The severity of the injury initially made it seem impossible to save her leg.

However, we successfully performed a free latissimus dorsi muscle flap, transferring muscle and blood vessels from her back to the damaged area, which was crucial for healing,” he explained. Just five days after the flap procedure, skin grafting was performed to provide additional coverage. The majority of her foot, excluding the toes, remained viable.