Doctors in Ho Chi Minh City have performed an emergency amputation on a thirty seven year old worker whose arm was severely crushed by a coconut shell grinding machine. The case has renewed concern about workplace accidents in Vietnam, where thousands of workers suffer severe injuries every year due to lapses in safety precautions.
The Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital confirmed that the patient, identified as L V G, arrived in critical condition with his left arm completely destroyed from the forearm to the hand. He had been operating the industrial grinder when his arm was pulled into the machine because of a moment of inattention.
Severe damage left surgeons with no option but to amputate
The accident took place on December 9. After initial first aid at a local hospital in Can Tho, the patient traveled on his own to Ho Chi Minh City and reached the orthopedic hospital five hours after the incident.
Doctors reported that the arm was shattered into multiple fragments. Soft tissue was torn and contaminated with dirt and engine oil. Blood circulation had collapsed and the limb showed signs of deep bruising and tissue death. Due to the extreme level of destruction, specialists were unable to save the arm and performed an amputation above the elbow.
Hospital leaders described the case as a tragic example of how a single careless moment can permanently alter the life of a worker who is often the main provider for a family.
Two additional workers nearly lost their lives in grass cutter accidents
Both cases required complex microsurgery involving bone realignment, vascular repair, tendon reattachment and nerve reconstruction. Surgeons explained that replantation procedures often last five to eight hours and depend heavily on precision tools such as surgical microscopes and micro sutures.
Doctors urge strict compliance with workplace safety rules
The recent wave of cases has prompted strong warnings from medical experts. They note that many workers, including farmers, freelance laborers and even homeowners using small machinery, often underestimate risk.
Specialists recommend that anyone using industrial equipment or powered tools should wear protective gear such as safety boots and gloves. They also emphasise that machines must be operated exactly as instructed to prevent accidents.
How to save a severed limb during the critical window
Doctors also provided guidance on the correct way to preserve a detached body part. The limb should be wrapped in clean cloth, sealed in a plastic bag and then placed in a container filled with cold water and ice. The part should never be placed directly on ice because extreme cold can destroy tissue. Bleeding control is essential and patients must be brought to the nearest medical facility immediately.
Most successful limb reattachment surgeries are performed within four hours. Many recent victims arrived after that period because they lived far from major hospitals or applied incorrect first aid methods.
Vietnam recorded more than eight thousand workplace accidents in 2024
The Ministry of Labour reported eight thousand two hundred eighty six occupational accidents across the country in 2024. The total number of victims reached eight thousand four hundred seventy two. Seven hundred twenty seven people lost their lives.
The highest casualty numbers came from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Binh Phuoc, Long An and Thai Binh.
Medical experts say the figures demonstrate an urgent need for stronger training, better regulation and widespread use of protective equipment.
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Source: Vietnam Insider