NICVD Saves 12-Year-Old Boy With Bullet Lodged in His Heart

KARACHI: Doctors at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) have successfully performed a complex emergency surgery on a 12-year-old boy with a bullet lodged in his heart.

The child, from Khuzdar, Balochistan, suffered an accidental gunshot injury in Khuzdar city. He was initially taken to local hospitals for treatment.

However, his critical condition required highly specialised cardiac care. He was subsequently shifted to Karachi, where several hospitals reportedly declined to treat him because of the complexity of his injury.

Emergency Treatment at NICVD

The boy was eventually brought to the NICVD paediatric emergency department.

Doctors immediately assessed his condition and began emergency treatment.

Nepal Flood: Principal Saves 900 Students Before School Is Swept Away

An echocardiography examination confirmed that the bullet was lodged inside his heart.

Given the severity of the injury, the medical team decided to perform emergency surgery without delay.

Prof Sohail Khan Bangash, head of paediatric cardiac surgery at NICVD, described the procedure as highly challenging and delicate.

He said the coordinated efforts of the medical team allowed them to remove the bullet successfully.

The child is now recovering well, according to the hospital.

Two-Hour Cardiac Surgery

During the operation, surgeons repaired the damaged part of the boy’s heart.

They also successfully removed the bullet.

The procedure lasted around two hours.

After surgery, the child was transferred to the critical care unit for close monitoring.

Doctors and hospital staff are continuing to observe his recovery.

Multidisciplinary Team

The surgical team was led by Dr Sohail Khan Bangash.

It included Dr Saad Badar, Dr Abdul Sattar and Prof Amin Khuwaja, along with other healthcare professionals.

NICVD Executive Director Prof Tahir Saghir praised the team for responding quickly to the emergency.

He also highlighted the difficulties involved in treating the child after he was transferred from Khuzdar to Karachi.

The successful operation demonstrated the specialised cardiac capabilities available at NICVD, particularly for complex paediatric cases.

Sindh CM Praises Doctors

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also praised the NICVD doctors following the successful surgery.

In a statement, he said he was proud of Sindh’s healthcare infrastructure and the expertise of its doctors.

He further said the provincial government remained committed to providing free and high-quality healthcare services to the public.

The young patient remains under medical care and is reportedly recovering well following the rare and complicated procedure.