Microsurgery to save fingers of worker with work accident

NDO - Doctors at the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases have just performed microsurgery to reattach a severed finger after a serious work accident for a 22-year-old male worker.

While operating a vertical cutting machine at a mechanical workshop, due to wearing protective gloves that were too loose, his hand got caught in the rotating shaft, causing the blade to cut off the distal phalanx of his left index finger. The complex injury caused the bone, blood vessels and nerves to be completely severed, leaving only a thin layer of tissue holding the finger to the hand.

Clinical examination revealed that the severed digit was hypoplastic, had no elasticity, and was pale, indicating necrosis. Further tests confirmed that the digit was soft, did not rebound when pressed, and did not bleed when pricked. Without immediate intervention, the limb would not be salvageable.

According to Dr. Duong Manh Chien, a plastic and cosmetic surgeon, amputation at the distal phalanx of the index finger is one of the biggest challenges in microsurgery. Unlike the area near the hand, where blood vessels are larger, at the distal phalanx the arteries and veins are very small, difficult to find, and easily blocked after reattachment. Even in large, highly specialized hospitals, the success rate at this location is still limited.

However, with a young patient and the injury occurring in the index finger (a finger that plays an important role in daily life and work), doctors decided to perform emergency microsurgery with the goal of reconnecting blood vessels, nerves and fixing bones to preserve limb function.

Surgery requires absolute concentration and precision.

The surgery required absolute concentration and precision. Surgeons used microscopes that magnified dozens of times to observe arteries smaller than fat cells. Specialized sutures, thinner than a strand of hair, were used to connect the blood vessels.

After several hours of surgery, the blood vessels were reconnected, the bone was fixed with a pin, and the nerves were partially restored. Due to the small size of the blood vessels and the high risk of spasm, the circulation in the fingertips after surgery was unstable. The patient was closely monitored, with continuous circulatory support measures.

After 14 days, the patient’s index finger began to recover actively. The tip of the finger was pink again, elastic and had clear vital signs. Doctors assessed the results as positive, although the patient needed to continue physical therapy to fully recover function.

From this case, doctors emphasize the importance of complying with occupational safety when operating machinery. Workers need to use protective gear properly: gloves must fit well, without excess fabric; long hair, loose clothing or straps must also be securely fixed. When working with cutting machines, stamping machines or machines with rotating shafts, it is necessary to concentrate and strictly follow safety procedures.

If an accident results in a severed limb, it must be handled properly: wrap the severed part in clean, damp gauze, place it in a sealed plastic bag, then place this bag in a second bag containing a mixture of ice and water, avoiding direct contact of the limb with the ice. Take the victim and the limb to the hospital as soon as possible, ideally within 6 hours (or up to 24 hours if properly refrigerated).

The index finger and thumb are the two most important fingers on the hand, playing an essential role in daily life and work. Injuries to these fingers, even small ones, can cause long-term effects if not treated promptly.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/noi-vi-phau-cuu-ngon-tay-cho-cong-nhan-bi-tai-nan-lao-dong-post879062.html