'A stitch in time saves nine'

by Rosanne Koelmeyer Anderson

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In great moments life seems neither right nor wrong, but something greater. It seems inevitable as in the most recent case, Samitha, the third year medical student who was paralyzed after the inevitable; a serious spinal injury.

'For most other victims of circumstances too it may be the same or of a greater or lesser magnitude but what is important to remember is that 'A stitch in time saves nine. '

'The golden hour can change the fate of persons placed in such situations' reveals Consultant Neuro Surgeon, Himashi Kularatne of the National Hospital Colombo.

Consultants Dr Himashi Kularatne and his senior Dr Sunil Perera have been the silent minds and the blessed hands behind the closed doors of the National Hospital who have changed and saved the lives of many patients in Sri Lanka over the years with utmost dedication working 24 x 7.

The Neuro Trauma Unit of the National Hospital which will be completed shortly will be in a position to meet the rising need for treatment of neuro trauma which is alarming: 'More than 2000 patients are admitted to the National Hospital Accident Service with head injuries per year and over 200 of them die purely due to negligence at the time of the injury.

Head and spinal injuries are devastating; consumption of alcohol and not adapting to accepted protocol are the main contributory factors and what is more demoralizing is that most of these victims are often young breadwinners of the family with no one to turn to for assistance.

Spinal cord injuries are even more crucial than head and brain injuries because in the event of a spinal cord injury there is little or no hope of recovery; partial damage can become permanent whereas in brain injuries recovery is possible as in common instances of blood clotting for example where a clot could be removed, Dr. Kularatne states.

'The golden hour' or the hour subsequent to the injury is the most crucial hour where a patient is best dispatched to the hospital in an ambulance in order to avoid further complications.'

'If contrary measures have to be taken then the patient should be transported to the nearest hospital carefully without bending, shifting or carelessly handling the patient.' It is learnt that accidents, trauma, domestic violence are the main causes of spinal cord injuries which could nevertheless be life threatening and could even cause death in certain instances.

Wrong posture and spinal deformity too go hand in hand.

The three major regions of the spinal cord; the dorsal, lumber and the cervical, the most important region of the spinal cord should be seen immediately by a doctor in the event of any pain at any given time,' Dr Kularatne advises.

'If injury has been caused to the spinal cord it can affect the cardiac functioning, the respiratory functions, bladder, kidneys and could be fatal and even more fatal if the patient is after alcohol.'

It has been observed that in Sri Lanka, 75 per cent of the head injuries off motor cycle accidents are due to sheer negligence; due to failure to lock the helmet.

When taking children on motor cycles children too should wear helmets and even chest guards if possible but it is not practiced and the consequences are great.

Vigilance and adhering to protocol could save a thousand lives; so why not stop a while and think before you leap.