Amputated thumb successfully re-implanted
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 31 2021: The Department of Plastic Surgery, Shija hospitals has recently successfully re-implanted an amputated thumb in a case presented to the hospitals 1 hour after injury by a rope cut.

The surgery was performed by a team of doctors led by Dr Nabakishor Haobijam, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Shija Hospitals.

After the surgery Dr Nabakishor Haobijam informed that our hands are one of the most important parts of our body which have enabled us to differentiate from other animals.

And in our hand, the thumb has the most important role.

It's no wonder the thumb accounts for 50% of our hand function.

It is because of our thumb, which could oppose the other fingers that we can grasp, grip, pinch, punch etc.

Our thumb enables us to hold a spectrum of things from a small sand/needle to hammer/sword.

It's because of our thumb we could hold a pen/pencil to write.

We could eat by hand more comfortably; hold a glass/bottle to drink.

In our daily life, we usually take for granted the role of our thumb.

It's only when we don't have it, we become aware of the stark reality, said a press release issued by Shija hospital.

The most important first thing to do is to seek immediate medical attention.

The next second important thing is to preserve the amputated thumb carefully.

It should be wrapped in a clean dressing/cloth which should be wet in clean water, and then put in a plastic bag which can be cooled by ice.

Doing like this will enable the amputated thumb to survive for more hours.

The third important thing to know is that re-implantation requires microsurgical skills of the surgical team.

And the success of such a procedure not only requires this expertise but also a timely intervention.

Re-implantation within 1 hour after injury carries more success rate than done later.

Fortunately, re-implantation of the thumb has a window period of 6-10 hours.

Dr Nabakishor Haobijam also informed that the department of plastic surgery at Shija Hospitals is one of the most equipped private hospitals in Manipur for microsurgery, with a vision to expand the scope of microsurgery and Plastic surgery in Manipur, and even beyond.

Also it is worth mentioning that the department has already successfully re-implanted more than seven amputated digits, hand, forearm for the first time in NE India.

Excellent perfusion was achieved immediately after joining one artery and two veins during the recently performed re-implantation surgery.

Currently the patient is doing fine with a well perfused thumb, he further added.

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