Chandigarh
21 November 2024
DIVYA AZAD
Fortis Hospital Mohali has successfully performed a complex microvascular surgery to reattach a completely severed finger, offering hope for individuals who experience amputations due to accidents. This achievement highlights the significance of timely treatment in cases of traumatic amputations and the role of microvascular surgery in restoring normal function to severed body parts.
The Fortis Mohali team, led by Dr Akhil Garg, Consultant, Plastic and Microvascular Surgery, and Dr Veshal Gautam, Consultant, Hand Surgery, Fortis Hospital Mohali, conducted the Reimplantation Surgery recently.
Reimplantation is a procedure that reattaches a completely amputated body part to the patient and restores its blood flow.
Addressing a press conference here today, Dr Akhil Garg and Dr Veshal Gautam presented a case study to raise awareness about the life-changing potential of Microvascular Reimplantation Surgery.
The patient, a 30-year-old man who suffered a complete amputation of his middle finger while cleaning his bike chain at home. Despite seeking immediate medical help, he was initially turned away by a nearby hospital due to a lack of facilities and specialists for such a procedure. He arrived at Fortis Hospital Mohali around three and a half hours after the injury, carrying his severed finger in an ice pack.
Giving details of the case, Dr Garg, said, “Under microscopic magnification, the surgeons meticulously reattached the bone, nerves, tendons, and skin of the severed finger. Blood flow was restored through microvascular surgery, which involved repairing tiny blood vessels. The surgery lasted five hours, and the patient had a smooth, pain-free recovery, being discharged after four days. He remains under follow-up and is gradually regaining function in his finger.”
Dr Garg explained, “Amputations commonly affect fingers, hands, wrists, and forearms, which are constantly exposed to mechanical forces. In most cases, reimplantation is the best treatment option, but time is critical. Patients should be referred to a specialist immediately, as any delays decrease the chances of successful reimplantation.”
He said, “Amputations caused by mechanical injuries are unfortunately common, occurring in various settings such as road accidents, industrial incidents, and even household mishaps. These injuries can impact people of all ages, ranging from minor cuts to the complete loss of limbs. If untreated, the amputated part is permanently lost, leaving the person with lifelong disabilities. However, with prompt and appropriate treatment, the severed body part can be reattached, and blood flow can be restored through microvascular surgery, allowing the patient to regain regular function.”
Dr Garg emphasized the importance of proper preservation of amputated parts, advising that, “The severed part should first be wrapped in a moist cloth or gauze, placed in waterproof packaging, and then kept in ice or an ice pack.”
He further highlighted the significance of microvascular surgery in these cases, stating, “The success of reimplantation depends on various factors, including the part amputated, the nature of the injury, the time between injury and surgery, and how the severed part was preserved. Most importantly, it requires an experienced microvascular surgeon and specialized equipment, available at only a handful of hospitals.”
Fortis Hospital Mohali’s success in performing this complex procedure underscores its dedication to advancing patient care and offering hope to individuals facing traumatic injuries. This achievement also reinforces the hospital’s commitment to making cutting-edge medical technology accessible for life-saving treatments.
