A 29-year-old Yemeni man who endured nearly two decades with a 3-cm-long bullet lodged in his head, finally found respite through a surgery in Bengaluru, Times of India reported.
The removal of the bullet, concealed in his left temporal bone, not only brought an end to chronic headaches and persistent ear discharges but also marked a triumph over a life-altering injury suffered during his childhood. The surgery took place at Aster Hospital, where Saleh’s (name changed) journey to healing took an unexpected turn.
Saleh's life took a drastic turn at the age of 10 when he became ensnared in the crossfire of two warring groups in his village in Yemen. Severely injured and bleeding profusely, he was rushed to a local hospital.
Unfortunately, the medical attention he received at that time only addressed the surface wound, leaving a 3-cm-long bullet embedded deep within his left temporal bone.
"I got severely injured and bled profusely. It was a sunny afternoon and I was rushed to a hospital. They only cleaned the wound but didn't bother to remove the bullet," Saleh told TOI during a video call.
The consequences were dire, rendering him deaf, plagued by chronic headaches, and suffering from persistent ear discharges.
Years later, Saleh's quest for relief led him to Bengaluru's Aster Hospital. However, the medical team faced a daunting challenge. Dr. Rohit Udaya Prasad, lead consultant for ENT and cochlear implant surgery at Aster RV, highlighted the complexity of the surgery due to the bullet's proximity to vital vascular structures. The risk of major bleeding during the removal necessitated meticulous planning.
The surgical team opted for a contrast CT angiography to map the blood vessels in relation to the bullet, employing a two-dimensional X-ray to precisely locate the embedded projectile. Dr. Prasad recounted the surgery as uneventful, with the bullet successfully dislodged without major complications.
Saleh's relief was palpable as the surgery not only alleviated his pain but also partially restored his hearing, putting an end to the persistent ear discharges.
Post-surgery, Saleh, a father of two, returned to Yemen, leaving behind the bullet to avert airport detention. He is currently pursuing a degree in English and French.
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