A success story of Neuro ICU at KYAMCH

Bithy wins the battle seven days after successful resuscitation at Khaja Yunus Ali Medical College and Hospital (KYAMCH) in Sirajgonj district of Bangladesh.

An ordinary playful day turned into the disaster for an 8-year-old young girl Bethee when she was struck by a high speed vehicle on a highway. She was immediately brought to a nearby hospital. Doctors suspected a major head injury and due to the lack of sophisticated setup, they transferred her to Khwaja Yunus Ali Medical College and Hospital (KYAMCH) few hours later. As her father rushed to the emergency room of KYAMCH for his beloved child, he found her restless. Bethee was in excruciating pain and was frightened with the overwhelming event.
I assured her anxious father and took her for a CT scan of brain. I became worried for little Bethee as I looked thorough the CT Scan films that revealed a depressed fracture on her Skull bone and there was accumulation of blood under scalp (called epidural hematoma). I consulted our neurosurgeon immediately. As she was fully conscious, immediate surgery was not necessary. So she was admitted in the Neuro ICU for close observation. Her parents were explained the possible course of prognosis and the risks involved.
The following day, her level of consciousness decreased. On examination, her vital signs and blood parameter revealed alarming deterioration. Bethee was supported with the ventilator. Her condition was deteriorating further and she suddenly developed cardiac arrest. At a point, she got fully unconscious. At this critical stage, five hours after resuscitation, she showed the signs of life. She was gradually improving, her blood pressure became stable. Gradually, she became capable of communicating with us. The sense of relief in the face of her parents was worth to watch.
Bethee's survival through this ordeal reflects the timely, systematic and confident approach of the Neuro ICU team consisting of Neurosurgery consultants, intensivists, nursing staff and physiotherapist. Neuro ICU at the Department of Neurosurgery of KYAMCH is far from the capital. In case of emergency, a minute matters a lot. A sophisticated critical care support like this hospital is crucial for such vulnerable patients to save life and cost by preventing disability at remote places of the country.

The writer is a Former Registrar, Neuro ICU at Khwaja Yunus Ali Medical College and Hospital (KYAMCH). E-mail: [email protected]