In a dramatic real-life incident reminiscent of a scene from the Tamil film 'Mersal', a team of three quick-thinking doctors saved a man's life by performing an emergency roadside surgery using a simple paper straw. The heroic act unfolded on Sunday night in Udayamperoor, Kerala, after a severe road accident.
A Critical Roadside Discovery
The chain of events began when Dr. Thomas Peter, his wife Dr. Didhiya K Thomas, and their family were travelling by car. They encountered a crowd gathered around an unconscious man lying in the middle of the road. The victim, identified as Linu V B from Kollam, had been in a two-wheeler collision and was in a dire state.
"We found the man gasping for breath, his mouth filled with blood, and he was completely unconscious. His condition was critical," recounted Dr. Peter, who is from the Indira Gandhi Cooperative Hospital in Ernakulam. At the scene, they found Dr. B Manoop, an assistant professor of cardiology from the Government Medical College in Kottayam, already providing aid by carefully stabilizing the injured man's spine to prevent further trauma.
The Improvised Life-Saving Procedure
After a quick assessment, the medical professionals concluded that the man's airway was completely blocked by mud, blood, and a suspected oral fracture. A surgical cricothyrotomy—a procedure to create an emergency airway—was immediately necessary to prevent him from suffocating.
With no medical equipment at hand, the doctors had to improvise. They first requested the police to ensure no one recorded the sensitive procedure on their mobile phones. The police not only complied but also instructed bystanders to switch on their phone flashlights, as the area was poorly lit. Under this makeshift illumination, the doctors performed the delicate surgery.
Using a razor blade, they made an incision in the cricothyroid membrane in the man's neck. A bystander provided a paper straw, which was inserted to create an open airway. "After some time, he started gasping again as the straw got wet and we replaced it with another one. Later, someone got a Frooti straw, and we inserted it. His condition stabilised, and we shifted him to a hospital," Dr. Peter explained.
Condition Remains Critical
While the immediate, on-spot intervention by the doctors was successful in stabilising Linu's breathing and getting him to a hospital, medical sources have reported that his condition continues to be critical. The swift action of Dr. Manoop, Dr. Peter, and Dr. Didhiya undoubtedly averted a fatal outcome at the accident site, showcasing remarkable presence of mind and medical skill under extreme pressure.
This incident highlights the crucial importance of emergency first aid and the incredible dedication of medical professionals who step up beyond the walls of a hospital. Their ability to adapt and use whatever resources are available—even a humble drinking straw—turned a potential tragedy into a story of hope and human ingenuity.
