A woman has survived having an axe surgically removed from her head after a life-saving four hour operation.

Rekha Dangi, 36, from Vidisha, central Madhya Pradesh, India, was attacked by unknown assailants with an axe that resulted in the 8cm length blade becoming lodged in her head.

The incident, which is believed to have occurred on Tuesday 12 October, happened when Dangi and her family visited a temple.

After being given initial first aid, the victim was taken to Narmada Trauma Center in Bhopal in critical condition.

A group of 10 doctors were assembled for the complex operation, including a neurosurgeon, a traumatologist, a vascular surgeon, a general surgeon, a plastic surgeon, a critical care specialist and anesthesia specialist.

Due to the location and type of injury sustained, doctors were unable to take the object out unless on an operating table as any attempts at removal may result in sudden bleeding.

The blade of the axe had penetrated the skin, muscle and bone of the head around six to eight centimetres deep.

Doctors began the four-hour operation by first removing the skin on the side of the patient’s head to locate a ruptured meningeal artery.

After repairing this and taking out a blood clot that had formed inside, the axe was successfully removed.

Since the operation, the 36-year-old victim has been transferred to the intensive care ward where she continues to recover.

It is not known if anyone has been arrested in relation to the attack.