In an extraordinary display of surgical skill, a team of doctors at a state-run hospital in Raipur has successfully saved the life of a man who suffered a sudden and catastrophic rupture of a major neck artery, a condition so rare that medical literature documents only a handful of cases worldwide.
A Terrifying Morning Turned Medical Emergency
The patient, a 40-year-old local shopkeeper, was performing a routine morning activity—brushing his teeth at his home—when disaster struck. He was hit by a sudden, severe pain in his neck, which was quickly followed by rapid and alarming swelling. The situation deteriorated so fast that he lost consciousness almost immediately. His family rushed him to the emergency department of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital, where the gravity of his condition became clear.
A critical CT angiography scan revealed the source of the crisis: the patient's right carotid artery had spontaneously ruptured. This vital blood vessel is responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart directly to the brain. The rupture had caused blood to pool, forming a dangerous, balloon-like bulge known as a carotid artery pseudoaneurysm, posing an imminent threat to his life.
The High-Stakes Surgical Battle
Leading the charge was Dr Krishnakant Sahu, the Head of the Department of Heart, Chest, and Vascular Surgery. He outlined the immense challenges his team faced. "The surgery carried a very high risk, with a success rate of only 50 to 60%," Dr Sahu explained. The massive accumulation of blood in the neck made it extremely difficult to even locate the damaged artery. He emphasized that any minor error during the procedure could have resulted in a stroke, brain death, or immediate death for the patient.
In a complex and delicate operation, the surgical team employed a specialized technique to repair the torn vessel. They used a bovine pericardium patch—a biological material derived from cow heart sac—to seal the rupture in the carotid artery. The procedure was a resounding success. Against daunting odds, the patient not only survived but also emerged without any neurological damage or paralysis. He is currently reported to be in stable condition, marking a monumental victory for the medical team.
A Medical Anomaly with Global Rarity
What makes this case particularly remarkable is its spontaneous nature. Medical experts note that carotid artery ruptures typically occur due to identifiable causes like trauma, severe infections, tumours, or underlying tissue disorders. However, this patient had no such history, making the event an extremely rare instance of Spontaneous Carotid Artery Rupture (SCAR).
Hospital authorities confirmed that this successful intervention is the first of its kind recorded in Chhattisgarh. Globally, medical journals have documented only about 10 such cases, placing this achievement in Raipur within an exclusive group of medical successes.
The life-saving effort was a collaborative triumph. The core surgical team was supported by cardiac anaesthetists Dr Sankalp Diwan and Dr Balswaroop Sahu, along with a dedicated group of junior doctors including Dr Ayushi, Dr Anshika, Dr Khyati, Dr Akanksha Sahu, Dr Sanjay, and Dr Om Prakash. Essential support was provided by nursing and technical staff members Rajendra, Narendra, Chowa, Dushyant, and Bhupendra, highlighting the teamwork required for such a critical operation.
