Pune: A 21-month-old girl suffered severe head injuries after a fall from her second floor home was released from hospital this week, after a life-saving operation by a team of Doctors in Pune.
Anushree Shirsat was admitted to a hospital in Kharadi on June 9 with severe head trauma, thigh injury and in an unconscious state. The injuries had also caused her to have a number of other problems, including seizures and drowsiness. Doctors at Manipal Hospital suspected a life-threatening brain injury and quickly subjected her to a CT scan, which revealed left-sided subdural haemorrhage (SDH) and signs of brain hernia. Emergency measures were immediately initiated to reduce the intracranial pressure (ICP) in her skull and stabilize her condition.
A craniectomy (brain surgery) was then performed to relieve the pressure and part of Anushree’s skull was temporarily removed to allow her brain to enlarge safely without increasing intracranial pressure.
“We estimate that she fell from a height of at least 20 feet. The force of the impact caused a brain fracture and subdural haemorrhage on the left side of the brain,” said Dr Parth Dalal, consultant paediatric intensive care physician at Manipal Hospital. He added, “In such severe cases, pressure builds up from inside the skull, pressing on the brain tissue. This can lead to paralysis, impaired breathing and even death. During the craniectomy, we removed a large blood clot to reduce the intracranial pressure.”
Dr Dalal said that despite the frequent seizures and unstable blood circulation, effective intensive care and medication helped to stabilize little Anushree. The toddler would eventually regain important functions, including motor skills and language comprehension.
“She was able to open her eyes and recognize her parents,” said Dr. Dalal.
After the intracranial pressure was stabilized, doctors took care of Anushree’s other injuries. She underwent orthopedic surgery for her femur fracture and a flexible rod was inserted to stabilize the fracture.
“Whole teams of doctors and nurses took care of Anushree, from pediatric intensive care specialists to neurosurgeons to orthopedic surgeons and anesthesiologists. They saved her,” said a doctor at the hospital.
On June 17, after nine days in the hospital, Anushree’s condition was declared stable, doctors said.
On August 18, specialists surgically reconstructed the removed part of the skull to stabilize the pressure on the brain. And on August 23, Anushree was finally able to leave the hospital and rejoin her family.

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