The completely amputated part of the left thumb was re-attached to its original position by a complex surgery using an operating microscope
A 42-year-old man from Mumbai was recently operated upon the left thumb at Global Hospitals Mumbai, which got cut during an accident. Dr Nilesh G Satbhai, Head of Department – Plastic, Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery and Transplant Surgery, Global Hospitals, Mumbai, successfully performed microvascular surgery and reattached the chopped-off portion of the patient’s thumb.
The completely amputated part of the left thumb was re-attached to its original position by a complex surgery using an operating microscope.
“All the important structures were dissected, identified, and prepared on both the patient side and the amputated part. The bones were fixed using a stainless-steel wire. The blood vessels of the thumb (artery and veins) were then connected to each other to restore the blood circulation of the amputated part of the thumb. The blood vessels at this level are very tiny (often less than 1 mm in diameter). The threads (sutures) required to join these blood vessels are much thinner than human hair and are barely visible to naked eyes. Hence, such procedures can only be performed under the operating microscope. The nerves and tendons were then repaired. Reconstructive microsurgery aims to restore the normal form and function of the body part to its maximum extent,” said Dr Satbhai.
The patient was monitored closely over the next week to ensure that the replanted thumb remained viable. Having recovered without any complications he was discharged after one week.
