Raipur Government Hospital Saves Youth’s Arm After Rare Subclavian Artery Repair Surgery

Raipur, February 10, 2026 : Doctors at Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Medical College and Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital (Mekahara), Raipur, have successfully performed a highly complex vascular surgery, saving the arm of a 34-year-old man whose main artery was severed in a knife attack.

The patient was brought to the Trauma Unit of Ambedkar Hospital in a critical condition, with massive blood loss and on the verge of collapse. According to doctors, the injury had completely damaged the subclavian artery, a major blood vessel located behind the collarbone that supplies blood to the upper limb. Without immediate surgical intervention, the patient would likely have lost his arm and suffered permanent disability.

The incident occurred when the victim, a resident of Amleshwar employed with an electric vehicle company, was traveling with his family toward Raipur Railway Station on a motorcycle. Following a collision with an electric rickshaw, an altercation broke out, during which the rickshaw driver allegedly attacked him with a sharp knife on his left shoulder. The deep wound severed the subclavian artery passing behind the clavicle bone.

Profuse bleeding began instantly, and the patient lost consciousness within minutes. Bystanders rushed him to the emergency department, where doctors temporarily controlled the hemorrhage by packing the wound with gauze. However, while the bleeding was slowed, blood supply to the left arm was completely cut off. The limb began to darken, and muscle strength deteriorated rapidly, raising the risk of gangrene and possible amputation.

After initial stabilization, the patient was taken by his family to other hospitals, but due to the severity of the arterial injury, treatment was declined. He was then brought back to Ambedkar Hospital’s Department of Heart, Chest and Vascular Surgery, where an emergency operation was immediately planned under the leadership of Dr. Krishnakant Sahu, Head of the Department.

A Highly Challenging Four-Hour Surgery

Repairing the subclavian artery, especially its second segment located deep within the chest behind the collarbone, is considered technically demanding. Removing the initial dressing posed the risk of uncontrollable bleeding, making vascular control critical.

Given the complexity, surgeons decided to cut the clavicle to gain access to the damaged artery. Upon exposure, it was found that nearly 3 centimeters of the artery had been completely destroyed. A 7×30 mm Dacron graft, an artificial vascular conduit, was used to reconstruct the vessel.

During the four-hour procedure, the patient required transfusion of five units of blood. Surgeons were able to restore blood circulation to the arm while carefully preserving the brachial plexus, the critical nerve network responsible for movement and sensation in the upper limb. Any damage to this structure could have resulted in permanent paralysis. After the vascular repair, the clavicle was reattached using a fixation plate.

Full Recovery and Return to Work

Thanks to timely intervention and coordinated teamwork, the patient’s arm was saved, and the risk of gangrene was averted. He has now fully recovered and returned to his regular activities and work.

The surgical team included vascular surgeon Dr. Krishnakant Sahu, orthopedic surgeons Dr. Pranay Shrivastava and Dr. Lomesh Sahu, anesthetists Dr. Sankalp Diwan and Dr. Balswaroop Sahu, along with junior doctors Dr. Ayushi Khare, Khyati, Akanksha Sahu, Sanjay Tripathi, and Dr. Omprakash. Nursing staff Rajendra, Narendra, Munesh, Chova, and Dushyant, as well as anesthesia technicians Bhupendra and Harish, played a crucial role in the operation.

Hospital authorities described the case as a significant achievement for the institution and a demonstration that advanced, life-saving surgical care is available in government medical facilities. The coordination between the trauma unit, vascular surgery department, orthopedic team, and anesthesia services was instrumental in the successful outcome.