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Severed palm rejoined successfully

Rajesh Nair

The 30-year-old woman is able to use it with ease

The replanted left palm. — Photo: By Special Arrangement

PUDUCHERRY: A severed hand from the left upper palm of a 30-year-old woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, has been rejoined successfully. The woman, hailing from Hanumanthai near here, lost her palm when she tried to defend an assault by some unknown people eight months ago.

With the severed palm, she was rushed to the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, where the doctors performed a micro vascular surgery and rejoined it.

She was transferred to the physiotherapy department of the hospital for recuperation for five weeks after the surgery.

Dr. Sharad Ramdas, who led the surgical team, told reporters on Friday that after several months of physiotherapy the woman is now able to attend to her daily routine using the left hand with ease.

To prove the claim, video clippings of the woman attending to her routine works using the left hand was shown to reporters.

When asked why the victim was not presented before the media, Dr. Sharad said she feared to come out before the media and talk about the case. He said the severed palm was successfully rejoined because it was brought immediately to the hospital with care.

People have to bear in mind that the amputated part and the victim should be brought to the nearest hospital, which had a plastic and micro vascular surgical unit, within six hours.

First, the amputated part had to be wrapped in cloth or gauze and put in a plastic bag.

No chemicals

At no time should it be cleaned, washed with chemical or antiseptic applied. Care should be taken that the amputated part did not come in direct contact with the ice, he added. He reasoned that if it was washed or antiseptic applied small vessels would get spoiled. Also, if it comes in direct contact with ice, proteins would get damaged, he added.

Postoperative care

If these things are taken care surgery could be performed successfully and recuperation depend on postoperative care and physiotherapy. However, Dr. Sharad Ramdas said badly crushed amputated part could not be rejoined. Dr. Revathy Maharajan said the woman attended regular therapy sessions and hence it was successful.

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