In a striking example of rapid trauma response and vascular precision, a 33-year-old woman narrowly avoided the loss of her right arm after sustaining a penetrating forearm injury that led to blocked blood flow to her hand. The case underscores the importance of timely surgical intervention in limb-threatening injuries, especially when major blood vessels are involved.
The patient, Mrs. Sakshi, was injured in an accident while stepping down from an auto-rickshaw. She slipped and fell, landing on a sharp object that caused a deep laceration to her right forearm. The injury resulted in heavy bleeding at the scene. Though the first responders managed to control the bleeding temporarily, the severity of the wound required urgent hospital care.
On arrival at the emergency department of Yatharth Hospital, Faridabad, the patient was evaluated by the trauma and surgical teams supervised by Dr. Balkishan Gupta. The forearm was tense and swollen, distal pulses were absent, and there was increasing pain and pallor—clinical signs suggesting acute vascular compromise. She remained conscious and stable but was at immediate risk of permanent damage to the limb.
Dr. Balkishan Gupta, Group Director – Surgical Disciplines, Yatharth Hospital, Faridabad, emphasized the urgency: “This was a situation where every minute mattered, Radial artery occlusion from trauma can result in permanent damage or even limb loss if not treated quickly. In this case, early recognition and coordinated action allowed us to reestablish circulation and prevent long-term disability.”
A quick Doppler scan showed that a major artery in her forearm, the radial artery was blocked, stopping blood flow to her hand. Through careful exploration and targeted vascular repair, blood flow was restored to the affected limb. The procedure not only stabilized the patient but also preserved full limb viability.
Postoperatively, the patient showed clear signs of improvement. Pain reduced, distal pulses returned, and limb coloration and movement began normalizing. She remains under inpatient observation and will begin physiotherapy to aid full functional recovery. Prognosis for long-term use of the limb is considered excellent.
This case highlights the often-overlooked danger of vascular trauma in everyday accidents. Injuries involving deep cuts or blunt force near major arteries can rapidly escalate if blood flow is not restored in time. Early recognition of vascular compromise—marked by signs such as absent pulses, swelling and pain should prompt immediate imaging and surgical evaluation.
Limb-saving outcomes like this reinforce the vital role of coordinated trauma systems, vascular assessment, and timely surgical decision-making in preventing permanent disability. As trauma patterns continue to evolve, equipping emergency departments with the tools and expertise to manage vascular injuries remains a public health priority.
