A 32-year-old man was attacked by a dangerous barracuda while fishing in his home country of Maldives. Suffering critical injuries, his life was saved after he was airlifted to Amrita Hospital, Kochi.
The patient was collecting sea cucumbers from the ocean floor as part of traditional Maldivian fishing when the barracuda struck him. The powerful bite caused severe injuries to his spinal cord and vertebrae at the back of his neck.
Initially, he was rushed to a hospital in Maldives, where local doctors assessed the severity of his condition. He was immediately transferred to Amrita Hospital for advanced medical treatment.
Upon arrival, medical experts discovered that the barracuda’s sharp teeth had deeply penetrated his spinal cord, leading to paralysis of his left arm and leg. Further tests revealed that more than ten fragments of the fish’s teeth were embedded in his spinal cord.
A team of specialists, led by Dr. Sajesh Menon and Dr. Dalwin Thomas from the neurosurgery department, performed a highly complex surgery to remove the embedded teeth and repair the damage. Doctors described the spinal surgery as extremely rare and challenging.
Barracuda attacks have been reported in the Maldives before, with several victims succumbing to their injuries due to the lack of specialized medical care. These fish are known for their high speed and sudden attacks, making them extremely dangerous.
Speaking about the ordeal, the patient’s brother stated that the family was deeply worried about his survival. However, he expressed immense gratitude towards the team at Amrita Hospital, whose expert care played a crucial role in saving his brother’s life.
