26-year-old Alexander Artukov returns home to his family after a month-long battle for life in the burn unit of Almaty City Clinical Hospital No. 4. He suffered severe thermal burns and barotrauma from a gas cylinder explosion, reports the website infohub.kz.
According to medics, the gas cylinder exploded in the yard of the man's own house, in a shed. The victim sustained severe burns and was taken to the hospital's emergency department. "Doctors diagnosed barotrauma, thermal burns covering 89% of the body surface, 15% of which were deep, as well as a severe injury to the left arm with extensive soft tissue damage. In the first minutes after admission, medics began intensive anti-shock therapy," the statement said.
That same day, Alexander underwent emergency surgery to repair the damaged arm. In the following weeks, treatment continued in the burn unit. According to the Ministry of Health, the patient underwent several stages of surgical treatment, including skin grafting (autodermoplasty) and reconstructive operations on the injured limb. Throughout this time, doctors daily monitored the function of vital organs, laboratory and instrumental parameters, and adjusted treatment based on the patient's condition.
"The patient arrived in extremely critical condition. He spent four days in intensive care, and after stabilization was transferred to our burn unit. Burns of this magnitude are always one of the most serious challenges for doctors. Thanks to the coordinated work of the entire multidisciplinary team of the clinic, we managed to save the patient's life," said Eldos Almenov, head of the burn unit.
Alexander Artukov thanked the doctors and medical staff for their help and support during treatment. According to him, thanks to cardiologists, therapists, and traumatologists, the treatment went very well. "All procedures were organized professionally and were almost painless. I received not only physical but also emotional support, because coping with such injuries is very difficult. I want to say a huge thank you to all the medical staff — orderlies, nurses, doctors, anesthesiologists. I am very grateful to everyone for their professionalism," the patient said. Alexander faces a long rehabilitation ahead.