A 21-year-old man from Yemen underwent a rare procedure to extract a bullet lodged in his chest wall for nearly two years.
The individual, referred to as Wasim (name changed), had sustained multiple gunshot wounds, one of which resulted in a bullet becoming lodged in his right lung. Despite receiving medical attention in Yemen for arm fractures and shoulder issues, doctors were unable to locate the bullet due to its proximity to surrounding organs.
Seeking advanced medical treatment, Wasim traveled to Bengaluru after learning about similar surgeries available in the city. Upon consultation, he exhibited symptoms including persistent cough, breathing difficulties, and blood in sputum. Subsequent X-ray examinations revealed the presence of a metallic object within the chest wall, despite the absence of external signs of injury.
Further diagnostic imaging via CT chest scans unveiled a 4x2x2 cm bullet embedded obliquely amidst the lung, liver, heart, and diaphragm.
Diwakar Bhat, a Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgeon at Aster RV Hospital, conducted the intricate two-hour surgery to extract the bullet while ensuring the safety of surrounding organs. The procedure marked a significant success in addressing Wasim’s long-standing medical issue.
