Lucknow: KGMU Doctors Save Toddler Impaled by Iron Rod in Critical Surgery

Currently admitted to the Paediatric ICU, Kartik is reported to be in stable condition and showing signs of improvement, according to hospital officials.

After the accident, the family first rushed him to a private hospital where the cost of surgery was estimated at over ₹15 lakh. Unable to afford the treatment, they brought him—still with the iron rod embedded in his body—to the KGMU Trauma Centre around 11:45 pm.

The case posed several complex challenges. The iron rod was dangerously close to the skull, making it nearly impossible to cut or remove without risking further injury. Due to its position, even conducting a CT scan was not feasible. Positioning the child on the operating table was another major hurdle, as the rod pierced from one side of his head to the other.

“The situation was extremely critical. Just aligning the child for surgery without causing more damage was a major task,” said lead surgeon Dr Ankur Bajaj.

The neurosurgery team—supervised by Prof B.K. Ojha and led by Dr Bajaj, with Dr Saurabh Raina, Dr Jason Golmi, and Dr Ankin Basu—carried out the complex procedure. Anaesthesia specialists Dr Kushwaha and Dr Mayank Sachan, along with trauma surgeon Dr Anita Singh, provided vital support. Dr K.K. Singh coordinated the overall surgical logistics.

After a tense three-and-a-half-hour surgery, the team successfully removed the rod. Kartik remains on a ventilator in the ICU under the care of Dr Sanjeev Verma’s team, with stable vitals and gradual improvement.

Kartik’s father, Rajneesh, expressed deep gratitude, saying, “We had lost hope. But the doctors at KGMU displayed extraordinary skill and courage. For us, this hospital is a temple, and the doctors are no less than gods.”

KGMU Vice-Chancellor Prof Soniya Nityanand, who personally monitored the case, praised the team’s efforts, calling the surgery a shining example of KGMU’s advanced medical capabilities and team coordination.