On the war front in Ukraine, modern medicine is facing new challenges every day. At the forefront of military medicine, a simple but vital tool — the magnetic extractor — is now saving soldiers’ lives.
A piece of metal that entered the heart of Ukrainian serviceman Serhiy Melnyk during a drone strike was removed using such a device. Unlike traditional surgical methods, this technology allowed access to the heart without large incisions and reduced risk.
Serhiy’s story is similar to the tragedy of many fighters. “This piece scraped my kidney, pierced my lung, and lodged in my heart,” he says. What was first thought to be shortness of breath turned out to be a serious heart injury.
A team of heart surgeons led by Dr. Serhiy Maksymenko successfully removed the dangerous fragment using a magnet-tipped extractor. “There is no need to cut open the heart,” the doctor says. “We insert the magnetic tool through a small incision and pull out the metal.”
To date, over 70 heart operations have been performed using this method.
Behind this invention is Oleh Bykov, a former lawyer who now volunteers to support the army. Since 2014, he has been in contact with frontline doctors, studying their needs. Based on their requests, various magnetic extractors have been developed — fine ones for microsurgery, strong ones for bones, flexible models for the abdominal cavity.
According to Oleh, shrapnel can be quickly and accurately detected with the help of a magnet. This reduces the need for large incisions and blood loss.
“With a simple pen-like extractor, you can even lift a big hammer,” Oleh demonstrates.
Currently, this device is not officially certified. However, the Ukrainian Ministry of Health allows the use of such tools during wartime. Bykov considers it a necessary measure, though not yet legalized: “If this is a crime, I’m ready to take responsibility. But then all the doctors who have used this device should also be held accountable,” he says with a smile.
British doctor David Nott, who has years of experience in war zones, also supports the idea. “In war, you do what is necessary to save a life. Such tools could also be useful in other war zones — like Gaza,” he says.
To date, more than 3,000 magnetic extractors have been distributed across Ukraine. They are being used in both military field hospitals and large city hospitals.
Serhiy’s wife, Yuliya, expresses her gratitude on behalf of all those whose lives were saved: “I thank the people who invented this device. Thanks to them, my husband is still with us,” she says through tears.
War forces modern medicine to adopt new approaches. The magnetic extractor technology developed in Ukraine — due to its simplicity, efficiency, and role in saving lives — has become not just an invention, but a symbol of hope. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!
Ctrl
Enter
Did you find a Mistake?
Highlight the phrase and press Ctrl+Enter Related News
