Bengaluru, India

In a remarkable feat of medical science, doctors in India's Bengaluru city achieved the extraordinary by successfully removing a bullet lodged in the head of a 29-year-old Yemeni national for almost two decades.

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This exceptional case unfolded as a consequence of a traumatic incident when the man, aged 10 at the time, was caught in the crossfire between warring groups in Yemen.

The now 29-year-old Yemeni, a father of two and one of 10 siblings, had sustained a gunshot wound during a confrontation. Returning from a shop one afternoon, he found himself in the line of fire, resulting in a severe injury.

Rushed to a nearby hospital, the initial medical response involved cleaning the wound, but the embedded bullet remained untouched, as reported by The Times of India.

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Years of silent suffering

Over the years, the man endured the consequences of this silent intrusion.

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Deafness, recurrent headaches, and persistent ear discharges became unwelcome companions.

The 3-centimetre-long bullet had traversed through his left ear, lodging itself in the bone and causing chronic ear infections due to pus accumulation.

Last week, a team of doctors at Aster Hospital in Bengaluru embarked on a challenging surgical mission.

Describing the procedure as "daunting", medical professionals faced the intricate task of extracting the metal object lodged perilously close to "vital vascular structures."

The patient was at a significant risk of major bleeding, underscoring the complexity of the operation.

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What it took to extract the embedded bullet

Employing meticulous planning, doctors used x-ray technology to precisely locate the bullet and separate it from the surrounding tissues.

Remarkably, the procedure concluded without complications or significant bleeding, mitigating the high-risk scenario.

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Post-surgery, the Yemeni man experienced partial restoration of his hearing, providing a glimmer of hope after years of silent suffering.

(With inputs from agencies)