Bullet lodged near Ethiopian man's spine for six years successfully removed at Delhi hospital

Doctors at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, have successfully removed a bullet that had remained lodged dangerously close to the spine of a 20-year-old Ethiopian man for nearly six years, ending years of chronic pain, abnormal sensations and psychological distress.

Mohamed Faisal Jama sustained the gunshot injury while returning home from school in Ethiopia after being caught in the middle of a local protest during which shots were fired. According to the treating doctors, the bullet entered through his shoulder, travelled across the chest cavity and came to rest at the junction of the posterior rib and the spine.

Although the bullet narrowly missed the spinal cord, Jama continued to experience persistent pain, tingling, numbness and discomfort for years. The location of the bullet also left him living with constant anxiety over the possibility of damage to his spine or other vital organs.

Doctors said the bullet was not removed immediately after the injury because surgery at the time carried significant risks owing to its proximity to the spine and other critical structures.

After travelling to India for treatment, Jama was evaluated by Dr Kamran Ali, Associate Director, Thoracic Surgery and Lung Transplant at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, along with a multidisciplinary team. Detailed imaging confirmed that the bullet was deeply embedded at the junction of the posterior rib and adjacent vertebral structures, making the operation technically challenging.

"The spinal cord had fortunately escaped injury at the time of the gunshot. However, removing the retained bullet required meticulous surgical planning because of its proximity to the spine and other vital structures," said Dr Ali.

To safely access the bullet, surgeons removed the posterior end of the affected rib along with a small portion of the adjacent vertebral bone before extracting the projectile while carefully protecting surrounding nerves and tissues.

Dr Ali said retained bullets are not always removed immediately after injury. "The decision depends on factors such as the location of the bullet, the patient's symptoms, its proximity to vital organs and nerves, the risk of future complications and the overall clinical condition of the patient," he explained.

The surgery lasted around five hours. The patient was mobilised on the first day after surgery, underwent physiotherapy as part of his recovery, and was discharged in stable condition four days later.

According to the hospital, the case highlights the role of multidisciplinary planning in managing complex retained ballistic injuries, particularly when foreign bodies are located close to the spine and other vital anatomical structures.