Serious injuries due to mini gas tank explosion

The explosion not only caused multiple injuries to the shins, thighs and a fracture of the left leg, but also caused serious damage to the private area, with an open wound to the left scrotum.

After first aid and suturing at a local medical facility, the patient was transferred to Bach Mai Hospital because of complicated genital injuries. Here, the patient was examined and assessed by Urology and other specialists. The doctors discovered that the patient's left scrotum was swollen, with a large hematoma spreading to the groin, along with a fracture in the left tibia.

Doppler ultrasound images of the testicles showed a large hematoma that had compressed and pushed the testicle out of axis. Doctors quickly performed emergency surgery that night. During the surgery, doctors from the Department of Urology found a piece of hard plastic foreign body, suspected to be from a mini gas cylinder, deeply embedded in the left scrotum. The foreign body was about 1x2cm in size, accompanied by many blood clots.

Doctor Nguyen Huu Thanh - surgeon of the Department of Urology Surgery, Bach Mai Hospital, who directly performed the surgery, said that when receiving the patient, the external injury to the left scrotum was only a small suture of about 3cm. However, the ultrasound image showed a large blood clot inside, pushing the testicle out of axis - this showed a deep underlying injury that was not visible to the naked eye. Fortunately, the testicle was successfully preserved.

The surgery was successful in removing the foreign object, cleaning and suturing, preserving the patient's left testicle. After the surgery, the patient received intensive treatment and by July 30, the patient was stable and discharged from the hospital.

Dr. Nguyen Minh Tuan - Head of the Department of Urology Surgery, who has 30 years of experience in treating urinary trauma, analyzed in detail: "The gas cylinder fragments flew like bullets with great acceleration, extremely strong penetrating force causing deep damage even though the skin wound was only 3cm. The large hematoma detected by ultrasound had compressed almost all the blood vessels supplying the testicles. If the surgery had been delayed for a few hours, the testicles would have been permanently necrotic, leading to infertility, endocrine disorders and severe psychological trauma. Fortunately, the doctors were able to decompress, remove the foreign object and successfully preserve it.

Doctor Tuan said that this is not an isolated incident. Low-quality mini gas cylinders are “time bombs” in many households. When they explode, the metal/plastic fragments that fly out cause damage equivalent to a bullet. The private area, with its soft structure, is the most vulnerable, but the symptoms are often subtle, causing the victim to ignore them.

Doctor Tuan emphasized: Not only gas cylinders, any compressed gas device (spray cans, camping gas) is dangerous if it does not meet standards, is deformed or reused.

To prevent unnecessary risks, Dr. Minh Tuan recommends everyone Absolutely do not reuse mini gas cylinders; only use cylinders that are still valid, have labels, and are not leaking. Any dented or expired gas cylinders are hazardous waste and should not be stored. Note: Do not place the mini gas stove near walls, people, or flammable objects; if there are signs of a gas explosion (smoke, gas smell), stop using it immediately.

Doctors also recommend to primary health care, Genital trauma due to fire or explosion is rare but very dangerous, easy to miss foreign objects and difficult to detect deep injuries. Early surgery helps preserve the testicles, reducing the risk of reproductive and endocrine complications.

For genital injuries, you should go to hospitals with specialized departments in Urology Surgery for examination and in-depth assessment of the injury and surgery if necessary. This helps avoid foreign objects, infections and late complications.

THIEN LAM

Source: https://nhandan.vn/chan-thuong-nghiem-trong-vi-binh-ga-mini-phat-no-post899111.html