Construction worker survives after falling on iron rods from 4th floor

BENGALURU: A construction worker fell from the fourth floor of an under-construction building in the city. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where it was found that a rod had penetrated his chest and leg.

Despite the serious injuries, doctors at Manipal Hospital, Hebbal,  successfully performed surgery to remove the rod. After four days of treatment, the patient has shown significant recovery and is now able to walk.

Dr Sunil Sudarshan, General Surgeon, said, “The patient came with unstable condition with bleeding heavily from the body. We started OT soon after stabilising him. There were 18 specialised doctors in the team. Patient was conscious while doing operation. After the successful operation, patient recovered very well and after a week he discharged, went by walking his own. It was a rebirth to him”.

On June 11, Pavan (name changed) fell from the fourth floor of a building under construction, landing directly on exposed iron rods. One iron rod pierced through his chest on the left side and exited from the right side of his lower abdomen, while two more rods impaled his right thigh. The rods were carefully cut so that Pavan could be transported, still impaled, to a nearby hospital.

When Pavan arrived at Manipal Hospital Hebbal, he was drowsy, in shock and rapidly losing blood. “His blood pressure was dangerously low, and he had already lost a significant amount of blood. We had to act immediately to stabilize him by starting fluids, blood transfusions, and medications to support his heart”, recalled Dr Rajendra Kumar, Critical Care Consultant, Manipal Hospital Hebbal.Within an hour, a multidisciplinary team including 18 specialised doctors assembled for an emergency operation. Simultaneously, the general and orthopaedic surgeons worked to safely remove the other rods and repair injuries to Pavan’s abdomen and thigh. The team discovered and managed multiple internal injuries, including damage to his right kidney, a fractured pelvic bone, and partial blockage of a major vein. Post-surgery, Pavan was placed on a ventilator and closely monitored in the ICU.

The next day, as his condition improved, Pavan was taken off the ventilator and gradually stabilized. “The timing and coordination of the whole team were crucial. He was brought to us at the right moment, and everyone responded without delay. That’s what saved his life”, emphasized Dr Rajendra.

The following eleven days Pavan recovered in the intensive care unit under meticulous and vigilant watch of multidisciplinary team. Pavan was discharged in a stable condition on June 22. He continues to recover, surrounded by his family and grateful colleagues, according to a press release.