Neurosurgeon's Swift Response Averts Tragedy at Navi Mumbai Airport
In a dramatic turn of events at Navi Mumbai airport, a routine journey turned into a life-saving mission when a neurosurgeon from Prayagraj intervened to rescue a passenger experiencing a severe cardiac emergency. Dr Prakash Khetan, who was en route to meet his children, noticed a fellow traveler exhibiting signs of distress, including profuse sweating and visible discomfort.
Immediate Medical Assessment and Emergency Unfolds
Upon checking the man's pulse and finding it absent, Dr Khetan quickly recognized the gravity of the situation, suspecting a major heart attack. He immediately employed acupressure techniques in an attempt to revive the individual, while efforts were made to keep him responsive. A compassionate passenger offered biscuits, but the patient's condition deteriorated rapidly, escalating into a full-blown cardiac arrest.
The airport's medical team was promptly alerted, and security personnel assisted by elevating the patient's legs to help stabilize blood circulation. Despite these initial measures, the situation grew critical as the man lost consciousness and stopped breathing.
Collaborative Life-Saving Efforts and Successful Revival
Without hesitation, Dr Khetan initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), performing chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. His efforts were bolstered by the arrival of two neuro-anaesthesia doctors, who joined the rescue operation. They intubated the patient to secure his airway and provided assisted ventilation, creating a coordinated medical response.
After approximately ten minutes of intense CPR, the team witnessed a miraculous turnaround: the patient began showing signs of life, moving independently and resuming breathing on his own. The collective efforts of the medical professionals, observed by an anxious crowd, culminated in stabilizing the individual, who was then swiftly transported to a ventilator-equipped ambulance for advanced medical care.
Background of the Heroic Doctor and Past Rescues
Dr Prakash Khetan, a Guinness World Record holder for performing an eight-hour surgery to remove 296 cysts from a young girl's brain in 2011, was originally scheduled to fly from Prayagraj to Bengaluru but missed his flight. Airlines and airport officials facilitated an alternative route via Mumbai, where he encountered the medical crisis while exiting the airport in a buggy.
Reflecting on the incident, Dr Khetan praised the airport's emergency preparedness, stating, "I salute the prompt and able medical intervention by the team stationed at the airport, and the revival was a collective effort. I credit the airport's medical infrastructure for the timely response." This is not the first time he has acted outside a clinical setting; in 2022, he successfully revived a Bank of Baroda chief manager in Prayagraj using CPR during a similar cardiac emergency.
Outcome and Passenger's Recovery
According to sources at Navi Mumbai airport, the passenger, who was heading to Delhi, suffered from high palpitations and received immediate attention. Thanks to the timely intervention by Dr Khetan and the airport medical team, he was stabilized and later opted to return home instead of boarding his flight, ensuring his continued recovery under medical supervision.
