Vietnamese Doctors Save Boy's Legs with Scalp Graft After Cobra Bite

Doctors at Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi have successfully reconstructed the necrotic left leg of a 41-month-old boy bitten by a cobra, using a skin graft from his own scalp. This procedure has saved the child from potential amputation and offers hope for restored mobility. The patient, a member of the Muong ethnic group, also has congenital cataracts in both eyes. The accident occurred while he was playing on the floor at home, and he was bitten on his left foot by a cobra. Upon admission to the Pediatric Center at Bach Mai Hospital, the venom's damage had progressed significantly, causing widespread tissue necrosis from his foot up to his calf and thigh, resulting in a large soft tissue defect. To mitigate the risk of widespread infection leading to limb amputation, the surgical team meticulously debrided all dead tissue while maximally preserving viable structures. However, the child's extremely low body weight of 9 kg presented a significant challenge, as the available healthy skin for grafting was limited, while the area of damage was extensive. After careful consideration, the team decided to harvest skin from the boy's own scalp for transplantation to his leg. The scalp possesses a rich vascular network, enabling rapid tissue regeneration suitable for large-area reconstruction. Doctors carefully dissected a thin layer of scalp, preserving the hair follicles underneath to ensure normal hair regrowth and minimize scarring on the head. This skin was then spread evenly over the entire injured area, from the thigh to the foot, and sutured in place. Following seven days of close monitoring, the grafted skin has successfully adhered and healed well. The scalp donor site has also recovered quickly. The young patient will continue to receive wound care and physical therapy to aid in his recovery and regain movement. Source: VnExpress