- The minor had a massive hemothorax and the spleen and lungs were compromised due to the route the bullet took, as well as bleeding at the abdominal level.
- To care for the patient, it was necessary to place an endopleural tube, followed by an exploratory laparotomy that determined which organs were damaged by the projectile.
- The collaborative work between IMSS doctors made it possible to avoid a tragedy.
A multidisciplinary team of doctors from the Regional General Hospital (HGR) No. 1 “Vicente Guerrero”, of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) in Guerrero He managed to overcome a huge challenge. Thanks to timely work, she managed to save the life of a 4-year-old girl who received a stray bullet in the thorax, which affected several organs and kept her in a serious condition.
account of what happened
Originally from Acapulco, little Melody “N” was at home when Brenda, her 27-year-old mother, noticed the minor’s chest bleeding and visualized that it was a firearm impact. He immediately covered the wound with his hand to block the bleeding and transfer her to HGR No. 1 as soon as possible.
The pediatrician of the IMSS hospital, Diana Hernández Calzada, explained that the minor was received in the shock room, where the mother continued to restrain the girl’s chest, which, without a doubt, prevented death by hemorrhage.
Care performed by IMSS doctors
Pediatricians, general practitioners and emergency physicians immediately attended to the little girl, identifying a massive hemothorax (chest injury). Due to the route taken by the bullet, which could have been fatal, the spleen and lungs were compromised, as well as bleeding at the abdominal level.
“Both the family member and the starting team did the same to contain and give time to do everything that was needed to stabilize; damage to vital parts could be avoided.”
The pediatric surgeon at this same hospital, Ana Gabriela Segura Basurto, explained that the care consisted of placement of an endopleural tube (flexible tube that is placed between the ribs, in the pleural space), followed by an exploratory laparotomy, which determined which organs were damaged by the projectile.
The Surgeon General, Luis Rodrigo Barrerawho is part of the team that treated the minor beneficiary, stressed that the success in this case was the transfer and the timely care she received in the first hours after the impact of the bullet, as well as the support and coordination with Third Level of Attention.
He added that since his area is one that provides care to patients in adulthood, having been part of the case of little Melody was really gratifying, mainly due to the recovery of his health, without sequelae.
“I am not used to treating pediatric patients, I am surprised to see her, I imagined that she would be in pain, some complaint, a sequel, but I see her as if nothing had happened, I am more surprised, I am happy”.
Likewise, the head of the Pediatric service at HGR No. 1, Dr. Ana Laura Luengas Sierra, highlighted that the IMSS Guerrero provided prompt and effective care, performing highly complicated surgery to send the patient to the Specialty Hospital of the Siglo XXI National Medical Center (CMN), in Mexico City, to continue her treatment.
With multidisciplinary action, doctors from HGR No. 1 save the life of a 4-year-old girl, after the impact of a stray bullet
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Luengas Sierra highlighted the joint work of the doctors from HGR No. 1, as well as the timely referral to Third Level and, without a doubt, the support of the nursing staff, stretcher bearers, cleaning and hygiene staff, security guards, among others, to provide quick and quality care to the little patient, which was of great value for the case to be a success.
“I am very happy to see that Melody is recovering, almost as if nothing had happened. I want to thank all my colleagues at Social Security.”
The mother of the minor, visibly moved, highlighted her gratitude to all the IMSS personnel, both at the hospital in Acapulco and at the CMN Siglo XXI in Mexico City, for their warm treatment and immediate medical service, which brought the child back to life. his brave little Melody.
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