Alexander, the German tourist, at Hanoi French Hospital in Hanoi. Photo: Hanoi French Hospital
Alexander fell from the ship's top deck onto the deck below, requiring emergency medical care.
Fortunately, he was traveling with his mother, a professional nurse, who provided first aid and stabilized his open fracture immediately after the accident.
Following an initial examination in Ha Long, medical staff determined that Alexander needed surgery and quickly arranged for him to be transferred to Hanoi French Hospital.
Upon his arrival, the hospital's emergency team assessed his condition, mobilized a surgical team and prepared an operating room so that he could undergo surgery as soon as possible.
Alexander needed surgery to realign fractures of the tibia and fibula in his right leg.
Doctor Cao Manh Lieu, an orthopedic surgeon at Hanoi French Hospital who performed the operation, said the surgery was successful.
“Alexander had two fractures of the fibula and one fracture of the tibia. This was an open fracture, meaning the broken bone was exposed through a wound in the skin,” Doctor Lieu said.
He added that the surgical team had to take precautions to prevent infection in the injured area while realigning the fractures.
Following the operation, Alexander recovered well and quickly. Within just a few hours, he was able to chat cheerfully with medical staff in the inpatient ward, recount his accident and express enthusiasm about learning more about Vietnam and its culture.
Alexander still needs a second operation, which is expected to be performed in Munich, Germany, his hometown.
