A 42-year-old fisherman from Uttan, Sandip Bhoir (name changed), had a miraculous escape after doctors at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, saved his hand from amputation following a rare and severe eel fish bite.
The fisherman`s injured arm. PIC VIA VINOD KUMAR MENON
Sandip, who has spent decades fishing off the rocky shores of Uttan Beach in Bhayander, was bitten by an eel fish while handling his catch. The fish slipped from his grip and bit him twice on his left wrist, causing deep cuts and heavy bleeding. Fellow fishermen tried to control the bleeding with a tight pressure bandage before bringing him to the hospital, nearly 17 hours after the incident.
By the time he reached the Emergency Department at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, Sandip’s hand and forearm were grossly swollen, pale, and lacked blood circulation or sensation. He could not move his fingers, and even passive movement caused excruciating pain.
After a detailed examination, doctors diagnosed him with acute compartment syndrome, a limb-threatening condition where swelling cuts off blood flow to the muscles and nerves.
He was immediately rushed to the operating theatre for emergency surgery by Dr Sushil Nehete, a Plastic, Hand, and Reconstructive Microsurgeon, with Dr Priti Dixit, an Anaesthetist, managing anaesthesia during this complex and high-risk procedure at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road.
Dr Sushil Nehete said, “When the patient arrived, his hand had completely lost circulation. Any further delay could have led to irreversible muscle damage and possible amputation. At Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, we performed an emergency fasciotomy, releasing pressure in the forearm compartments and carpal tunnel, which instantly restored blood flow. Within a few days, he began regaining sensation and movement.”
Dr Nehete further explained that immediately after surgery, as blood flow was restored to the muscles, metabolic waste products entered the bloodstream, posing a serious risk of kidney failure, a known complication after revascularizing ischemic limbs. Thanks to the timely surgery and expert management by the ICU team at Wockhardt Hospitals, the patient was closely monitored, and his kidneys were protected from damage.
Dr Priti Dixit, Anaesthetist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, played a critical role in ensuring the patient’s stability throughout the surgery.
Following surgery, Sandip’s recovery has been remarkable. His hand circulation returned immediately post-operation, and over the next few weeks, sensation and movement improved significantly. He is currently undergoing wound care, will soon require skin grafting, and is on a physiotherapy program to regain full hand function.
Dr Nehete added, “Timely surgical intervention at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, was crucial. We’re pleased that his hand has been saved, and he is expected to recover completely in a few months.”
Eel Fish or slender fish that belong to the order Anguilliformes. Unlike most fish, which have a typical body shape, eels have elongated, snake-like bodies, which help them navigate through narrow spaces and burrow into mud or sand. There are over 800 species of eels, and they can be found in both freshwater and marine environments.
