Ahmedabad, 20 February 2026: In a remarkable medical success, Sterling Hospitals, Ahmedabad, has saved the life of a 10 year old boy who suffered 86 percent burn injuries following a gas geyser blast in Rajasthan. The explosion left the child and his father critically injured. After initial emergency care in Rajasthan, the child was urgently shifted to Sterling Hospitals, Ahmedabad, where a specialized medical team led by Dr Vijay Bhatia began immediate treatment.
According to Dr Vijay Bhatia, patients with more than 86 percent burn injuries, particularly children, have a survival rate of only around 10 percent. However, timely intervention, advanced burn care and continuous monitoring played a decisive role in this case. The boy’s father, who sustained nearly 35 percent burn injuries, was also treated successfully at the hospital.
Initially assessed as 86 percent burns at the referring centre, a detailed evaluation at Sterling Hospitals confirmed approximately 86 percent predominantly second-degree burns. Early initiation of collagen-based biological dressing proved critical in saving the child’s life. All vital parameters were carefully maintained until healing, reflecting strong coordination among plastic surgery, intensive care, anesthesiology and nursing teams.
The incident occurred on 18 January 2026, when a gas geyser blast severely injured the father and son at their residence in Chittorgarh in Rajasthan. The child, who suffered extensive burns, was first admitted to a local hospital before being referred to Sterling Hospitals, Ahmedabad. Dr Vijay Bhatia, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, stated that the child’s critical condition and young age required a carefully planned treatment approach. Medical evaluation confirmed a second degree burn injury, and treatment using biological skin covers was initiated, which proved effective.
Dr. VijayBhatia further explained that in India, burn injuries involving 86 percent of the body are considered extremely serious and carry a high risk of mortality. Survival in such cases generally ranges around 10 percent and depends on factors such as age, timely treatment, availability of burn ICU facilities, infection control and organ support. Despite these challenges, the child responded well to treatment.
Dr. Rajesh Mishra, Consulting Senior Intensive Care Specialist, said, “Extensive burns in a child require continuous monitoring and precise critical care management. Our focus was on maintaining stable vital parameters, fluid balance and preventing infection through coordinated teamwork, which was key to achieving a successful outcome.”
The anesthesiology team played a crucial role by ensuring safe airway management, effective pain control and stable vital parameters during emergency care and repeated procedures, significantly supporting the child’s recovery.
Mr Santosh Marathe, MD &CEO, Sterling Hospitals said, “This case highlights the importance of careful teamwork and timely treatment in managing severe burn injuries in children. Sterling Hospitals has senior clinicians like Dr Vijay Bhatia and qualified medical team for their dedication and expertise, which played a key role in saving the child’s life and supporting a smooth recovery. Following specialized care at Sterling Hospitals Gurukul, the child showed rapid improvement and recovered within six to seven days.”
Adding to this, Mr. Raman Bhaskar, Zonal Director, Sterling Hospitals Ahmedabad, said, “At Sterling Hospitals, our priority is to provide advanced, evidence-based critical care with compassion. Managing a86percent burn case in a child requires coordinated efforts across specialties, including plastic surgery, intensive care, infection control and rehabilitation. We are proud of our clinical team for demonstrating exceptional commitment and expertise in ensuring a positive outcome in such a challenging case.”
Following specialized care at Sterling Hospitals’ multispecialty unit, the child showed rapid improvement and recovered within Few days. He required ICU support only briefly and was later shifted to a normal ward as his condition stabilized. His father, who sustained 37 percent burn injuries, also recovered well under treatment at the same hospital. Doctors have confirmed that the injuries will not affect the long term life expectancy of either patient.
