Pune: In a remarkable case of survival, a 21-month-old toddler in Pune is on the road to recovery after suffering a critical head injury from a fall off the second floor of her home.
The young girl, Anushree, was rushed to Manipal Hospital in Kharadi after the incident, where she was found unconscious and exhibiting alarming symptoms such as seizures and unequal pupil size—signs of severe brain trauma.
Upon her arrival at the hospital, a team of doctors, led by Dr. Parth Dalal, a Pediatric Intensivist, immediately initiated emergency measures to reduce intracranial pressure and stabilize her condition. A CT scan revealed a left-sided subdural hemorrhage and brain herniation, both of which posed an imminent threat to her life.
Faced with these findings, the medical team decided to perform an emergency craniectomy, a surgical procedure in which part of the skull is temporarily removed to relieve pressure on the brain.
During the operation, a large blood clot was successfully extracted, allowing the brain to expand without causing further damage. Following this procedure, Anushree also underwent orthopedic surgery to treat a fractured femur, with a flexible rod inserted to stabilize the bone.
Anushree was then transferred to the hospital’s High Dependency Unit (HDU) for intensive care. Over the following days, she began to show promising signs of recovery—regaining consciousness, responding to commands, and recognizing her parents. Her neurological functions continued to improve with the support of physiotherapy and ongoing care.
Dr. Dalal noted the severity of the injury and the challenges faced in the initial stages of treatment. He emphasized the critical nature of timely intervention in such cases, which can mean the difference between life and death. After nine days in the hospital, Anushree was discharged, though she remains under close observation as she continues her recovery.
The successful treatment of Anushree is credited to the coordinated efforts of a multidisciplinary team, including pediatric intensivists, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nursing staff, whose quick actions were instrumental in saving the young girl’s life.
