Berhampur: A three-year-old boy from Umerkote in Nabarangpur district has received a new lease on life after doctors at the government-run MKCG Medical College and Hospital successfully removed an 8cm-long twig lodged in his brain during a four-hour surgery. The child, Om Harijan, is currently recovering in the paediatric intensive care unit of the hospital.
Details of the Surgery
A medical team led by neurosurgeon Dr. Rabi Narayan Panda extracted the twig, which had a girth of about 3.5cm, through a complex surgical procedure. The operation was assisted by anaesthesia specialists and took place last Thursday. Doctors reported that nearly 5cm of the twig had penetrated the skull, with about 3cm protruding outside.
“The twig had pierced the midline over the sagittal sinus. Had it remained lodged for longer, it could have caused continuous bleeding, potentially leading to loss of limb function. We removed the foreign body through a circumferential craniotomy. The surgery lasted around four hours,” said Dr. Panda, adding that the child is stable and recovering well.
How the Accident Happened
The accident occurred on the evening of April 28 when a tree branch fell on the child while he was playing near his home at Bhagabati Nagar under Umerkote block. Although family members removed the visible portions of the branch, a piece had already penetrated his skull.
The boy was initially taken to Umerkote hospital, from where he was referred to LN Medical College and Hospital in Koraput. As his condition worsened due to bleeding, he was shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur last Wednesday.
High-Risk Procedure
Dr. Panda emphasized the high-risk nature of the procedure, stating, “It was a high-risk procedure requiring a multidisciplinary approach. Any delay could have proved fatal.” He also noted that the surgery was conducted free of cost for the family.
The child’s father, Sanjit Harijan, a farmer, expressed relief over the successful operation. His mother, Sabita, thanked the doctors and expressed hope that her son would return home soon after recovery.
The successful surgery has brought a new ray of hope for the family, and the medical team continues to monitor the child’s recovery closely.
