Stroke While Sailing: Philippine Citizen Undergoes Successful Neurosurgery

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
A successful neurosurgery was conducted on a Philippine citizen who lost consciousness after suffering a stroke aboard a ship. The medical team at KIMSHEALTH Thiruvananthapuram was able to stop the uncontrolled bleeding in the patient’s brain, improving the patient’s condition. The emergency situation occurred during the journey from Colombo to the Suez Canal.

The 56-year-old man suffered a stroke while sailing, about 50 nautical miles away from Vizhinjam. After being found in critical condition, he was brought to Thiruvananthapuram with the help of the Coast Guard. A CT scan confirmed the presence of bleeding between the brain and its protective membrane, known as subarachnoid hemorrhage. The accumulation of blood in the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain can lead to elevated intracranial pressure, posing a critical danger to the patient’s health. Aneurysm rupture is the most common cause of this type of bleeding, and emergency management is essential to save the patient’s life, stated Dr. Ajith R, Senior Consultant, Department of Neurosurgery, who led the surgery.

Considering the critical condition, a craniotomy was performed immediately, opening the skull. The aneurysm’s connection with the artery was successfully detached through clipping. After the five-hour surgery, the patient was shifted to the ICU till his health condition stabilized. He was then shifted to the room, and also underwent physiotherapy for a week. After a month-long hospital stay, the patient returned to Philippines fully recovered.

Dr. Abu Madan, Dr. Navas N.S., Dr. Bobby Iype, Consultants, Department of Neurosurgery, Dr. Susanth B, Consultant, Department of Neuroanesthesia, and Dr. Nitha J, Consultant, Department of Physical Medicine, were also part of the treatment.