Sailor's severed finger saved after 25 hours

For the first time in Vietnam, a finger that was severed after 25 hours was saved thanks to microsurgery performed by doctors at Viet Duc Friendship Hospital.

The severed finger was very well preserved.

A 38-year-old male patient, an ocean-going ship sailor, was transferred to Viet Duc Friendship Hospital ( Hanoi ) with his right index finger severed due to an accident while working on a ship in the central coastal region.

X-ray image of the severed right index finger of the 38-year-old sailor being located and fixed with a specialized needle

PHOTO: BICH NGOC

Receiving the patient, the doctors assessed that the severed limb had been properly treated and preserved, the finger joints were still soft, and the tissue structure was well preserved.

The emergency finger transplant surgery team was deployed with the coordination of many specialties: microsurgery, anesthesia, resuscitation, orthopedic trauma...

Two surgical teams were deployed in parallel, one team cleaned and prepared the severed finger, the other team prepared the stump. The finger bone was positioned and fixed with a specialized needle to create a stable axis, the tendon and ligament system was restored.

"In particular, nerves and small blood vessels of only about 0.8 - 1 mm are restored with high precision under a surgical microscope and special tools, ensuring the restoration of blood circulation to the severed part. This is a technique that requires the highest level of sophistication, because if just one blood vessel connection is not open, blood flow cannot nourish the fingertip and the limb will become necrotic.

The record-breaking 25-hour anemia required doctors to control the risk of vasospasm and monitor peripheral circulation after surgery to ensure the finger was saved and fully revived," said Dr. Vu Trung Truc, Deputy Head of the Department of Maxillofacial, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery (Viet Duc Friendship Hospital).

According to Dr. Truc, in cases of limb reattachment, prolonged ischemia is often a major obstacle. In this case, thanks to the proper preservation of the severed limb at the scene, the finger joint did not stiffen because it was kept at the right temperature.

Another factor is that the finger structure (including bones, skin, nerves, and blood vessels) is more resistant to ischemia than the more muscular limb, so a finger that has been ischemic for 25 hours can still be reattached, with experience and good coordination between specialists.

Now, 2 weeks after surgery, the wound after the transplant has healed, the finger is pink and completely alive. Doctors are doing rehabilitation exercises to help the sailor regain mobility and feeling in his finger.

First aid for severed limbs

Do not wash or soak the severed limb in any solution. In case the severed limb is in a dirty environment with many foreign objects, it can be washed under clean running water, preferably purified drinking water or boiled and cooled water.

Wrap the limb with gauze or a clean towel, put it in a nylon bag and tie it tightly (avoid direct contact with ice).

Place the bag containing the limb into another bag containing ice.

Keep the limb in a clean, temperature-controlled environment and transport it as quickly as possible. Do not handle the limb yourself or use drugs or disinfectants on the severed limb.

Take the victim to the nearest medical facility for treatment and further instructions.

(Viet Duc Friendship Hospital)

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cuu-song-ngon-tay-thuy-thu-bi-dut-roi-sau-25-gio-185251209090728115.htm