Electrocution and 30-Foot Fall Leave 55-Year-Old with Ruptured Aorta and Burst Diaphragm, Timely Multidisciplinary Intervention Saves Life

An ordinary workday for 55-year-old Hari Om from Tigaon, Faridabad, turned into a life-threatening emergency when he climbed an electric pole to repair faulty wires, unaware that someone below would accidentally switch the power back on.

As the power turned on, Hari Om was electrocuted with a high-voltage shock that threw him off the pole, and he fell nearly 30 feet, landing heavily on his chest.

The impact caused devastating internal injuries. By the time he was rushed to Sarvodaya Hospital, Sector 8, Faridabad, he was in profound shock. His blood pressure was critically low, and he was fighting for his life.

Catastrophic Injuries, Ruptured Aorta and Burst Diaphragm

Emergency evaluation and imaging at the hospital revealed multiple catastrophic injuries. The electric shock and fall had ruptured his aorta, the body’s main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body, a situation that is usually quite fatal.

In addition, the force of the fall had caused his diaphragm (the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen and helps in breathing) to burst. As a result, his intestines had moved upward into his chest cavity, compressing his lungs and further compromising his breathing.

First Surgery - Endovascular Stenting

Recognising the urgency, Dr. Anupam Das, Senior Consultant & Head - Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery and Dr. Neeraj, along with their multidisciplinary team, acted without delay. The first and most critical step was to control the life-threatening aortic rupture.

An emergency endovascular stenting procedure was planned. The required vascular stent was urgently arranged and transported from Chennai within a single day to ensure no time was lost.

Through a minimally invasive approach, the team successfully placed the stent inside the damaged aorta, sealing the rupture and restoring stable blood flow. This crucial intervention prevented further internal bleeding and stabilised his cardiovascular condition.

Second Surgery - Laparoscopic Diaphragm Repair

Once his condition was relatively stable, the next major challenge was addressed the very next day. A Laparoscopic Diaphragm Repair was performed by Dr Arjun Goel, Senior Consultant & Head (Unit II) – General & Minimally Invasive Surgery and his team. Using minimally invasive techniques, the surgical team carefully repaired the torn diaphragm and gently repositioned the displaced intestines back into the abdominal cavity where they belonged. This not only relieved pressure on his lungs but also restored normal anatomical alignment.

Comprehensive Recovery Care in the ICU

Following the surgeries, Hari Om was placed on ventilator support in the Intensive Care Unit for close monitoring. Given the severity of the electric injury, fall trauma, and major vascular repair, his recovery required meticulous critical care, infection control, respiratory support, and continuous monitoring.

Over the next few days, his condition steadily improved. He was gradually weaned off ventilator support and began breathing on his own. With coordinated and comprehensive care from vascular surgeons, laparoscopic surgeons, intensivists, and nursing staff, he made a remarkable recovery.

Sarvodaya’s Emergency and Critical Care units are the city’s highly acclaimed departments for swift response in all cases of emergency. Operational 24/7, the units are staffed by highly experienced surgeons and doctors and equipped with high-end modalities for treatment and recovery care. Hari Om’s survival is a powerful example of how rapid emergency response, advanced technology, minimally invasive surgery, and seamless teamwork can save lives even in the most critical and complex trauma cases.