RIMS scripts history, amputated hand replanted
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 31: With the successful replantation of an amputated hand, the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal has scripted history and joined other premier medical institutes of the country noted for their surgical expertise.

The patient on whom the medical miracle was performed is identified as one Sagolsem Maipakpi (45) of Uchiwa.

At around 12.30 pm of February 1 last, the right hand of Maipakpi was severed (amputated) by the motor belt of a water pump.

Announcing this to media persons today by Prof Y Mohen Singh, Medical Superintendent informed that a successful replantation of a hand was conducted in RIMS by a team led by Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery, Dr Nepram Sanjib, who is working under Professor G N Sharma.

Picture of the replanted limb done on Sagolsem Maipakpi (45) of Uchiwa

Maipakpi was rushed to RIMS at around 2 pm on that day.

A complex and nerve wrecking replantation surgery to fuse the amputated limb was conducted lasting four and a half hours, recounted Dr Sanjib.

Maipakpi was discharged from RIMS after 39 days on March 12 with her complete four limbs, mentioned the plastic surgeon while adding that she still has to undergo one or more surgeries to bring back sensation and mobility on the replanted limb.

Providing a few tips on cases of replantation, Dr Nepram Sanjib noted that replantation surgery can be successfully performed only in selected cases.

Clean cut amputations have better chances of success than those resulting from crush or avulsion, said the doctor.

Amputation are best replanted within 4-8 hours of trauma.

Such replantation can be done within 24 hours of the amputation provided the severed part is stored properly under ideal circumstances.

In any case of severing of body parts or amputation, the severed parts should be cleaned with normal saline and covered with a saline soaked gauze.

Then it should sealed in a water tight polythene bag which should be kept in iced-water, observed the specialist.

Direct contact with ice would cause frost bite while such contact with water may induce water logging in tissues, he explained asserting that we should take utmost care while storing severed body parts.

No stitches should be applied to control bleeding while giving first aid for it may damage certain length of blood vessels which would complicate future repair and bleeding should be controlled by applying direct pressure with the help of pads and bandages and rushed to RIMS.