Zulekha Hospital Sharjah emergency team saves lives of two young boys following major road accidents

Zulekha Hospital Sharjah’s Emergency and Critical Care team recently saved the lives of two young boys—aged seven and eleven—who were admitted in critical condition following separate road traffic accidents. Through rapid diagnosis, multidisciplinary collaboration, and highly skilled surgical intervention, both children made full recoveries—showcasing the hospital’s exceptional emergency paediatric capabilities.

The younger of the two, seven-year-old Ayaan Salam Harshad, was brought to Zulekha Hospital’s Emergency Room in an unresponsive state with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 3/15. He suffered severe respiratory and haemodynamic compromise. Imaging and clinical assessment revealed extensive injuries: traumatic pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema, bilateral lung lacerations, multiple rib fractures, a fractured left clavicle, cerebral oedema, and skull fractures. He was intubated, ventilated, and bilateral chest tubes were placed immediately.

Leading the case was Dr. Hassan Said Othman Badr, Consultant Paediatrics, who coordinated a multidisciplinary team to manage the complex trauma. The team included Dr. Ahmed Nabil, Specialist Pediatric & Neonatal Laparoscopic Surgery, Dr. Sajad Ali Mohammed, Consultant General & Laparoscopic Surgery Dr. Salim Kanaan, Consultant Neurosurgery Dr. Mugtaba Elnour Osman Mohamed, Consultant ENT Dr. Ahmad Salah Radwan, Consultant Ophthalmology and Dr. Khaldoon Abo Dakka Specialist Thoracic Surgery.

Despite initial stabilisation, Ayaan’s respiratory distress persisted due to pyothorax and a bronchopleural fistula. He underwent a right uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), during which total lung decortication and fistula closure were successfully performed. Post-surgery, Ayaan was extubated, transitioned from high-flow nasal cannula to room air, and gradually improved. After 22 days of hospital care, he was discharged fully alert, stable, and neurologically intact.

Meanwhile, eleven-year-old Ahmed Missaqui was admitted to the Emergency Department after experiencing sudden severe headache, repeated seizures, and loss of consciousness. A CT scan revealed a large right parietal intracerebral haemorrhage with intraventricular extension, requiring immediate neurosurgical intervention.

Dr. Salim Kanaan, Consultant Neurosurgery, promptly placed a right-sided external ventricular drain (EVD) to relieve intracranial pressure. Ahmed was intubated and managed in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) with continuous monitoring. A second EVD was inserted three days later due to blockage, remaining in place for 15 days.

Ahmed’s care was overseen by both Dr. Salim Kanaan and Dr. Hassan Said Othman Badr, ensuring seamless integration between neurosurgical and paediatric critical care. He was successfully extubated, weaned off oxygen support, started on enteral feeds, and gradually returned to full activity. After clearance of the haemorrhage on imaging, both EVDs were removed, and Ahmed was discharged in a fully stable, neurologically normal condition with follow-up planned for neurodevelopmental assessments.

“These are powerful examples of how coordinated, timely care and skilled multidisciplinary teamwork can turn around even the most critical situations,” said Dr. Hassan Said Othman Badr & Dr Salim Kanaan. “Our collective approach ensured the best possible outcomes for both children.”

The families of Ayaan and Ahmed expressed deep appreciation for the hospital’s swift action, technical excellence, and ongoing emotional support throughout their children's care journeys.

Zulekha Hospital Sharjah continues to invest in specialised expertise, advanced technology, and collaborative clinical practices to ensure rapid, effective responses in emergency situations. With teams that work across departments in perfect synchrony, the hospital remains committed to saving lives—because every second counts.