Chennai: A team of doctors at Fortis Malar Hospital performed a challenging multiple fragment surgery on an elbow of a 70-year-old lady with multiple co-morbidities including Covid-19.
According to a press release, the patient also had Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Diabetes and Hypertension. She suffered the fractured elbow after a fall and was immediately rushed to the hospital. The treating team and surgery was led by Dr Nandkumar Sundaram, Chief of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon.
Dr Sundaram said, “The woman was rushed to the Fortis Malar ICU in a state of high fever and extreme breathlessness and was thereby was put on high-pressure support in order to sustain her normal breathing. It took three weeks of intensive care for her to get fit to undergo a complicated multiple fragment surgery”.
“Taking the Covid-19 situation into consideration, the patient was carefully placed in a face down position and the ulna bone was divided and reflected back with the muscle to expose the elbow joint from the back without damaging the nerves and vessels. The bone was osteoporotic and was carefully fixed on both sides with a plate without creating any further fractures”.
The patient Saraswathy said, “My condition has improved immensely post the elbow surgery and I am now able to move around with confidence and at ease. I thank the expert team of doctors at Fortis Malar Hospital for having completely restored my mobility and giving me a second chance at life”.