Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Quick actions by LBJ Hospital’s orthopedic team saved a commercial diver’s leg as a result of a shark attack.

As first reported by Samoa News on Friday, the man was diving in Pago Harbor in the Atuu- StarKist Samoa area.

In a statement issued to the media, the hospital said that the LBJ Tropical Medical Center Orthopedic team engaged in a 4.5 hour emergency operation to save, control the bleeding, and repair injured structures to the leg of a 43-year-old Caucasian male who suffered a shark- bite.

“A commercial ocean diver by profession, the male was fixing effluent pipes outside StarKist when a shark attacked and bit his left leg.

“He was transferred by the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and arrived at the LBJ Emergency Room (ER) at approximately 1pm.

“Upon arrival to the hospital, he was quickly cared for by the ER Trauma Team. The patient was swiftly transported to the operating room (OR) after the orthopedic chief surgeon was able to assess, order blood tests, resuscitate, and stabilize the ocean diver at 2:25pm.”

The statement says that in the OR, the team of orthopedic surgeons led by Dr. S. Traill, and assisted by Dr. Ledua, and Dr. Gebhard, found the multiple wounds were extensive and severe.

 “The injured nerves, tendons, muscles and other soft tissues were repaired and were sutured. There was adequate blood supply to provide circulation and ensure viability of the limb.”

The hospital’s acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Akapusi Ledua credits bystanders and workmates at StarKist for their quick and life-saving interventions with whatever was available to control the bleeding.

He thanked EMS of the Search & Rescue Department for re-enforcing the dressing and providing emergency support.

Furthermore, Dr. Ledua commended the ER physicians and ER nursing staff for the resuscitation and coordination of care before transferring the patient to the operating room. He also gave recognition to OR nursing staff and Anesthesia team.

 “The patient was admitted in the surgical ward and in a stable condition. Arrangement is underway for his transfer off-island for long term care, specifically reconstructive surgery, and recovery,” said Dr. Ledua.

 “Our goal now after the surgery is to prevent infection, which can complicate the injury in the next 48- 72 hours. We hope and pray for his quick recovery and return home to be with the family.”

The hospital CEO also acknowledged the professionalism and medical attention provided by the EMS, LBJ medical, nursing and support department employees for saving the life and limb of this patient.