Hope Survives Even After High-Voltage Electric Shock .........Advanced Surgery at AIIMS Bhopal Saves Limbs

Hope Survives Even After High-Voltage Electric Shock
Advanced Surgery at AIIMS Bhopal Saves Limbs

Bhopal. High-voltage electric shocks often result in devastating injuries that can lead to the loss of limbs. However, doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal, have shown a new ray of hope in such severe cases through advanced surgical techniques and timely, well-judged treatment decisions. A team from the Burns and Plastic Surgery Department at AIIMS Bhopal has conducted an important study on the management of severe injuries caused by high-voltage electricity, which has received international recognition.

The research analyzed 23 patients treated at AIIMS Bhopal, in whom limb reconstruction was attempted using microsurgical free-flap techniques. The study revealed that instead of rushing into reconstruction, it is more important to first understand the true condition of the wound. Adequate removal of dead tissue (debridement) and delaying reconstruction until the viability of tissues becomes clear lead to better outcomes. This approach increased limb salvage rates and significantly reduced serious complications.

The study reported an overall flap survival rate of 87 percent. The team emphasized that in cases of electrical burns, treatment decisions based on the biological condition of the wound are more effective than decisions taken under the pressure of fixed timelines.

Prof. Manal Mohammad Khan, Head of the Burns and Plastic Surgery Department at AIIMS Bhopal, stated that high-voltage electrical burns are among the most difficult and complex injuries to treat. He noted that the study demonstrates how patience and accurate biological assessment not only improve outcomes but also help preserve limb function.

This significant study has been published in the prestigious, peer-reviewed international journal Annals of Plastic Surgery, published in the United States and widely read by plastic surgeons and researchers worldwide. The publication has brought global recognition to the clinical expertise and research work of AIIMS Bhopal. The study was led by Dr. Gaurav Chaturvedi, with Dr. Abhinav Singh, Dr. Ved Prakash Rao Cheruvu, and Dr. Manal Mohammad Khan as members of the research team.