German tourist treated after suffering open leg fractures during Ha Long Bay cruise

A German tourist who fell onto a lower deck of a cruise ship on Ha Long Bay had emergency surgery in Hanoi before returning home for further treatment, the hospital said this week.

Alexander was on a cruise in September when the accident cut his trip short, leaving him with open fractures of the tibia and fibula in his right leg.

His mother, a qualified nurse, gave him first aid after the accident and immobilized the injured leg. After an initial examination, local medical staff determined he needed surgery and arranged his transfer to Hanoi French Hospital.

Dr. Cao Manh Lieu, an orthopedic trauma specialist at the hospital, said the fibula was broken in two places and the tibia in one. It was an open fracture, meaning the broken bone was exposed through a wound in the skin, which raises the risk of infection.

The surgical team realigned the broken bones under general anesthesia, with the anesthesia and intensive care team monitoring him throughout, then fitted an external fixator to stabilize the leg during the first phase of recovery.

"While realigning the fractures, we had to ensure that infection was prevented in the injured area," Lieu said, adding that the operation went smoothly.

Because of the nature of the injury, Alexander still needs another operation, scheduled to take place in his hometown of Munich.

Alexander from Germany at Hanoi French Hospital, where he had surgery for open fractures in his right leg. Photo courtesy of Hanoi French Hospital

Lieu said one of the challenges was the time that passed between the accident and Alexander’s arrival in Hanoi. With an open fracture, controlling infection is critical throughout both surgery and post-operative care.

Doctors closely monitored the wound, prioritizing post-operative care and infection control.

Alexander showed no signs of infection during his stay in Hanoi and recovered well after the operation, they said.