Copyright timesnownews
Doctors in Delhi successfully managed to reconstruct the thumb of a 20-year-old man who had sustained severe injuries in a road traffic accident involving a bike and a tractor by using the second toe from his amputated leg. According to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, the amputated leg and thumb were examined for reimplantation, and both were found unsuitable as they were completely crushed due to injuries. However, the second toe from the amputated leg was still viable and was used to reconstruct the thumb. Doctors involved in this rare surgery said the procedure not only restored hand function but also utilised tissues from the non-salvageable limb. "The hospital has performed more than 700 reimplantations of body parts, including fingers, toes, scalp, ear, and upper limbs," Dr Mahesh Mangal, Senior Consultant and Head of the Department of Plastic, Cosmetic, and Hand Microsurgery, who headed the complex microsurgery, said in a news release. Dr Mangal also stressed the importance of timely action after accidents. "Patients and relatives should always try to search for the amputated part at the trauma scene. Timely and efficient transportation of the patient and the preserved amputated part to the reimplantation centre is critical for survival and function," he said. The hospital also informed that the patient has regained a functional thumb and is recovering well. What is reimplantation? Reimplantation is the surgical reattachment of a completely severed body part, like a finger, hand, or toe, that helps restore its function. According to experts, it also refers to the surgical reattachment of other structures, like a tooth or a ureter. Doctors say the main aim of reimplantation is to reconnect bones, blood vessels, nerves, muscles, and tendons to bring back as much function and appearance as possible. Before surgery, the doctor explains the procedure and how much function is likely to return following replantation. The patient or family member has to decide whether regaining use of the body part justifies the long and difficult operation, time in the hospital, and months or years of rehabilitation. However, according to experts, replantation is time-sensitive, and so decisions have to be made very quickly and decisively. It is also important to note that while popular culture makes replantation seem routine, these are very complex procedures that are performed only at specialized centers. Also, replantation is not always possible, no matter how much it may be desired by the patient and their family. Things to know about reimplantation Doctors say a few important things to know about reimplantation include: The replanted part never regains 100 per cent of its original use, and most doctors consider 60 to 80 per cent an excellent result. Patients who have not injured the joints will get more movement back than those who have. A cleanly cut part usually works better after replantation than one that has been crushed or pulled off. Younger patients have a better chance than older adults of growing their nerves back. Cold weather can be uncomfortable for patients with replanted body parts. It is a frequent complaint, even for those with excellent recovery.
