The 63 -year -old man was in a coma, a traumatic brain injury and serious limb damage due to the hydrogen gas exploded while the balloon was pumped.
At the 108 Military Central Hospital, the patient had emergency surgery, removed the necrotic, crushed and fixed parts of the broken bone. After the surgery, the patient continues to be taken care of positively.
On February 17, Dr. Le Nam Khanh, the Department of Surgical Recovery and Tibetan transplant, despite handling injuries, the patient was still at high risk of death due to severe injuries. The treatment process will last with many complex interventions.
The balloon is often used in festivals, decorations, but potentially the risk when the seller uses hydrogen gas – a flammable gas when exposed to heat source such as lighter, cigarette buti or spark. Despite danger, because hydrogen gas is cheaper than Helium, many people still use to pump balloons, increasing the risk of the accident.
Doctors recommend not using hydrogen gas balloons. When buying balloons, prioritizing the type of Helium gas – inert gas, no fire. Avoid flying near candles, lighters, gas stoves, electric sparks or heat sources, and absolutely do not drop the ball near the wire to ensure safety.