In a powerful testament to resilience, medical excellence, and the indomitable human spirit, a 7-year-old girl has defied overwhelming odds to defeat imminent fatality after a horrific road traffic accident (RTA) left her battling for life with multiple life-threatening injuries.
Rushed to Narayana Hospital, Howrah, in a state of severe shock, the child was found to have sustained catastrophic injuries including a severe lung contusion, liver laceration, kidney and urethral injuries, pelvic fracture, and a significant degloving injury on her right thigh — injuries that would challenge even the strongest of adults. She arrived intubated and critically unstable, requiring massive blood transfusions and triple inotropic support. Despite the grave prognosis, a multidisciplinary team of doctors, Dr. Shubhadeep Das, Clinical Lead & Sr Consultant – Paediatric Critical Care; Dr. Gautam Chakraborty, Consultant – Paediatric & Neonatal Surgery; Dr. Atul Srivastava, Consultant – Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement Surgery and Dr. Aditya Kanoi, Consultant – Plastic Surgery chose to pursue a conservative yet focused treatment approach after careful review.
The first 12 hours were extremely critical, with her condition worsening rapidly. At one point, doctors even considered putting her on an advanced life-support machine (ECMO) due to the severity of her shock. During an emergency surgery, Dr. Shubhadeep Das, Dr. Goutam Chakraborty & team discovered a rare and dangerous complication, her bladder was severely swollen because it couldn’t empty properly due to internal blood clots.
“We performed the emergency high-risk surgery for the grave multiple injuries she had, and during the surgery, we found that she had undergone bizarre and rare injuries internally. She was in hypovolemic shock (a condition where the amount of blood in circulation is severely diminished & the heart cannot maintain the minimum blood supply for the functioning of major organs) due to internal bleeding from multiple sites. Apart from bleeding from the kidney, liver, etc, we found a huge urinary bladder filled with massive blood clots obstructing the urine flow, which was causing compression of the Inferior Venacava (major vein of the abdomen that maintains peripheral circulation). Blood clots were evacuated & a bypass for urine was made. This surgery, though, averted the imminent death risk. She continued to battle multiple medical issues like pneumonia, sepsis, etc, which were managed in the ICU under Dr Shubhadeep Das,” said Dr. Goutam Chakraborty, Consultant – Paediatric & Neonatal Surgery, Narayana Hospital, Howrah.
What followed was a challenging four-week journey. The young girl battled serious breathing problems, repeated infections, and intense pain. Her recovery was made possible by the constant care and dedication of the doctors, nurses, anaesthetists, physiotherapists, and wound care specialists involved in her treatment. On March 8th, her 7th birthday was celebrated in the ICU, a powerful moment of hope and joy amidst the beeping monitors. Eleven days later, on March 19th, after six emotionally intense weeks, she was finally discharged, leaving behind smiles, tears, and a trail of inspiration. Though her journey isn’t over, with skin grafting and rehabilitation still ongoing, she has already made remarkable progress. She can now sit, and doctors expect she will be able to start walking within the coming days. Her unwavering courage assures us all: she will win this race, too.
“This isn’t just a story of survival, it’s a moving reflection of courage, medical excellence, and the unbreakable human spirit,” said Dr. Shubhadeep Das, Clinical Lead & Sr Consultant – Paediatric Critical Care Unit, Narayana Hospital, Howrah. “Her resilience, combined with the unwavering commitment of our entire care team, inspires us every day. We are proud to stand beside this young fighter, a true symbol of strength and inspiration.”
At Narayana Hospital, Howrah, moments like these serve as a constant reminder that with teamwork, compassion, and determination, even the most critical situations can lead to hope and healing.
“This remarkable case is a shining example of the world-class healthcare capabilities that exist right here in West Bengal. The successful recovery of this young girl was made possible by the extraordinary team effort across departments, a hallmark of the collaborative spirit we nurture at Narayana Hospital, Howrah. We remain committed to delivering compassionate, cutting-edge care that truly makes a difference in people’s lives,” said Mr. Tapani Ghosh, Facility Director, Narayana Hospital, Howrah & Chunavati.
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