Timely medical care helps save Swiss biker

Kochi: A Swiss tourist who met with a major accident while driving around the state on a bike got a new lease of life here.Hans Rudolf from Switzerland was on a biking expedition of Kerala when he skid from his bike and fell down near Cherai. He had multiple broken ribs and contusions in the lungs. Though Rudolf was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, his physical state worsened owing to the splinting caused by rib fractures and ensuing pneumonia. His oxygen saturation levels dropped and he needed immediate ventilatory support. In such a condition he was brought to Aster Medcity, Kochi, by the homestay staff where he was residing. As Rudolf did not have any relatives here to sign consent to procedures, the hospital authorities contacted the Swiss embassy and they provided full autonomy to do what was needed to save his life. “Timely intervention and application of advanced rib fixation techniques paved the way for improved respiratory mechanics and accelerated early recovery after trauma and prevention of his secondary pneumonia,” said cardiovascular thoracic surgery senior consultant Dr Manoj P Nair, who led the team. Rudolf has now recovered and returned to his home country.