SILIGURI,: In a remarkable and complex medical procedure, doctors at North
Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH), Siliguri not only saved the life
of a 36-year-old man but also successfully reconstructed his throat and neck,
which were severely damaged in a brutal bear attack four months ago.
The
incident occurred when Dinesh Bhujel, a resident of Sittong II village in the
Kurseong block, was heading to a nearby field to gather fodder for his cattle.
While on his way, he unexpectedly encountered a wild bear. During the attack,
his throat was extensively damaged, and his trachea (windpipe) was completely
dislodged. Additionally, he sustained several deep wounds on his chest and
face.
Bhujel's
life was spared thanks to the quick actions of a local villager, who found him
in critical condition and rushed him to a nearby hospital. After receiving
initial first aid, he was transferred to NBMCH for specialized treatment.
A
team of ENT (ear, nose, and throat) surgeons performed a complex surgery on
November 20 and 21, last year to repair the damaged larynx, trachea, and other
affected areas. Bhujel was later discharged from the hospital, and on
Wednesday, he returned for a follow-up examination after four months of
hospitalization.
Reflecting
on the attack, Dinesh Bhujel shared that he couldn’t recall much of the
incident. "I was just going to cut grass for my cattle when suddenly a
bear jumped on me," he said.
His
elder brother, Deepak Pradhan, added that they had almost lost hope for
Dinesh’s survival. "We thought we had lost him," he said.
However,
thanks to the dedicated efforts of the ENT department at NBMCH, Dinesh’s life
was saved.
Dr.
Radheshyam Mahato, an ENT surgeon involved in the procedure, expressed the
team's determination, saying, "We worked for nearly two hours to stabilize
him. There was a significant obstruction in his airway, which we managed to
clear. Now he is completely healthy."
Dr.
Mahato also highlighted the financial relief provided by the government
hospital. If it was a private service instead of a government service, then the
poor patient would have spent a lot of money, he said.
