SAVING A YOUNG MAN’S LIFE AFTER SEVERE ABDOMINAL TRAUMA FROM A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

A young man was miraculously saved by doctors at Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital after a serious traffic accident left him with a large abdominal wall tear, exposing part of his colon (large intestine).

Admitted in Critical Condition: Deep, Open Wound Exposing Intestines

The patient was rushed to the Emergency Department in extremely critical condition after a direct collision with a motorized tricycle. He sustained a massive abdominal wound, with internal organs exposed and severe blood loss. He was semi-conscious, with blood pressure dropping to just 76/51 mmHg and pale mucous membranes — clear signs of hemorrhagic shock. His life was hanging by a thread.

“In over 10 years of practice, we had never encountered such an extensive and complex abdominal wall injury. When we saw the young man’s intestines exposed, we knew that every second was critical”, said Dr. Nguyen Trung Duong, MMed, Specialist Level II, Deputy Head of General Surgery Department at Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital.

Emergency Surgical Team Mobilized: 60 Minutes on the Edge of Life and Death

The patient immediately received intensive resuscitation with intravenous fluids and blood transfusions. At the same time, emergency ultrasound and contrast-enhanced CT scans were performed to assess internal injuries. The imaging revealed devastating damage: a crushed liver, a massive 130 x 150 mm defect in the right abdominal wall with ragged edges, and part of the colon exposed. The intestines were bruised and swollen, the kidney was injured, multiple ribs and lumbar vertebrae were fractured, and the right iliopsoas muscle was severely bruised. These injuries were all critical and could have been fatal without timely surgical intervention.

Following emergency consultation, a surgical team led by Dr. Nguyen Trung Duong, MMed, Specialist Level II, and Dr. Mai Van Dung, MMed, Specialist Level I performed a tense, life-saving 60-minute operation.

“This was an exceptionally complex case. The wound was massive, and the anatomical structures had been severely destroyed. The greatest challenge was reconstructing an abdominal wall strong enough to protect the internal organs”, said Dr. Duong.

A Rare Surgical Success: Reconstructing the Abdominal Wall and Preserving Organs

Fortunately, the colon had not sustained significant damage — reducing the risk of fatal infections. However, repairing the liver, kidney, and especially reconstructing the abdominal wall was an immense challenge. The wound extended from the lower right back to the front abdomen, measuring 40 x 30 cm, and had completely torn through all three muscle layers up to the peritoneum — the protective membrane covering the abdominal organs.

The surgical team of the General Surgery Department skillfully managed the extensive wound and soft tissue trauma, successfully reconstructed the abdominal wall, controlled bleeding, and preserved the integrity of the internal organs.

This was an extremely severe case of multi-organ trauma requiring simultaneous resuscitation and surgery. The primary challenge was controlling blood loss. After stabilizing the patient, the team addressed complex injuries to the liver, kidney, and abdominal cavity. In just 60 minutes, the abdominal wall was nearly fully reconstructed despite the initial loss of skin and muscle.

Recovery After Surgery – A Journey Back to Life

After surgery, the patient was closely monitored in the intensive care unit of the General Surgery Department. Thanks to the dedicated care of the medical team, his condition steadily improved. Liver and kidney functions began to recover, with no signs of infection or postoperative complications.

The patient emotionally shared: “I thought I wouldn’t make it. But thanks to the doctors’ dedication, I was saved. I’m deeply grateful to the entire team at Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital”.

A Trusted Center for Complex Cases – Supporting Patients Through Health Insurance

This successful, high-risk surgery was made possible thanks to the expertise and coordination of the hospital’s multidisciplinary team. Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital remains fully equipped and ready to handle emergency and complex trauma cases, leveraging the “golden hour” to maximize patients’ chances of survival.

With state-of-the-art equipment, rapid emergency-to-surgery processes, and experienced, compassionate doctors, the hospital has become a trusted medical center for both Ho Chi Minh City residents and international patients in Vietnam. Importantly, the hospital accepts both public health insurance and private health insurance, reducing financial burdens and improving access to life-saving treatment in critical situations.

 (*) The patient has authorized the hospital to use their images for communication and publicity purposes.

Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital

No. 88, Street No. 8, Trung Son Residential Area, Binh Hung Commune, Ho Chi Minh City.

Hotline: 18006767

info@nih.com.vn

BRC: No. 0312088602, issued on December 14th, 2012 by the Department of Planning and Investment of Ho Chi Minh City. Medical Examination and Treatment License No. 230/BYT-GPHĐ, issued by the Ministry of Health.