Kolkata: The 20-year-old engineering student who sustained life-threatening stab injuries during an alleged altercation with a friend was discharged from hospital on Tuesday. The youth was stabbed on Sept 23 in front of a mall in New Town. Initially rushed to a nearby private hospital in a critical condition, he was later shifted to Manipal Hospital Broadway.Doctors said he had lost a lot of blood, was gasping and in profound shock when they started treatment. He required mechanical ventilation, blood transfusions, blood-pressure-supporting medications and intensive care.The injuries included multiple deep wounds in the left side of the face and mandible, neck, chest, shoulder-blade region and back. Further evaluation revealed extensive internal injuries, including accumulation of blood within the chest and abdomen, a major left-sided pneumothorax, extensive surgical emphysema and injuries to vital blood vessels and the airway. An emergency surgery was done the following day.“We immediately controlled the bleeding and repaired the injured blood vessel, diaphragm and trachea. A laparoscopic procedure was additionally performed to wash out blood from the abdominal cavity, and a drain was placed,” said cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon Sujoy Chatterjee.A multidisciplinary team was formed comprising Chatterjee, critical-care head Susruta Bandyopadhyay, critical care consultant Rajarshi Roy, radiology head Manoj Jain, cardiac anaesthesia head Ashok Verma and general surgery consultant Badal Das.Bandyopadhyay said, “The combination of major blood loss, chest injury, vascular injury, diaphragmatic rupture and tracheal damage made this an extremely challenging trauma case requiring rapid coordinated intervention.”Over the following days, the patient gradually stabilised. The postoperative respiratory complications, including episodes of low oxygen levels, fever and blood-stained sputum, were closely monitored and managed. His lungs subsequently expanded satisfactorily, allowing the chest drain to be removed. He was weaned off mechanical ventilation two days after surgery and gradually resumed oral feeding.Speech and swallowing therapy was initiated, and a pureed diet began since he had developed significant voice and swallowing difficulties. His condition had improved significantly, with his vital parameters coming back to normal. Doctors said he will continue to receive speech and swallowing therapy with close clinical monitoring.
