Firecracker blast victim’s jaw rebuilt in 7-hr operation

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, December 14

A team of doctors at the Post Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences (PGIDS) performed a seven-hour oral surgery in the trauma centre on a patient from Jhajjar who sustained horrific injuries after a firecracker exploded inside his mouth.

The complex and critical operation led by Dr Ravinder Solanki, Professor, of Oral Surgery Department and in guidance of Prof Mahesh Goel, Head of Department, involved reconstructing the patient’s shattered lower jaw and facial structures. Dr Divya, Dr Isha, Dr Anand and Dr Shubhodeep were members of the team.

“The patient, who was reportedly drug-addicted, was produced at the trauma centre of the PGIMS three days ago with catastrophic injuries resulting from what was described as a ‘Sutli bomb’ exploding in his mouth. The force of the blast not only shattered the structures but also destroyed the nerves in the lower jaw,” said Dr Solanki.

He said due to massive blood loss filling the mouth, the surgery doctors’ team had to perform an immediate tracheostomy (making an opening in the neck for oxygen supply) to secure his breathing. A crucial complication was the parotid gland, one of the major salivary glands in the face, which was entirely displaced and exposed with its delicate nerves and vessels scattered, he added.

“The oral surgery commenced at 1 pm and concluded late at around 8.30 pm. It took over 7 hours to complete this operation. The primary challenge in this demanding surgery was to “fix all the scattered pieces back in their original place,” including the fractured nerves of the parotid gland and two fractures in the lower jaw. Our team successfully reunited the fragmented jaw and reconstructed the damaged structures,” said Dr Solanki.

“Following the successful surgery, the patient is currently recovering in the intensive care unit (ICU) and has been shifted to the general ward,” he added.