Kolkata docs successfully reimplant 32-year-old’s severed thumb after surgery

Doctors in Kolkata successfully carried out a highly complex microsurgical reimplantation of a completely severed right thumb of a man after he damaged it in an every day activityThe intricate procedure was led by Dr Akhilesh Kumar Agarwal consultant ndash Plastic Surgeon at Manipal Hospital Mukundapur supported by a multidisciplinary teamProloy Bose a 32yearold businessman from Subhashgram in Sonarpur was brought to the hospital after his thumb was accidentally amputated while cleaning his motorcycle His thumb got caught in the motorcyclersquos chain cover the protective casing over the moving chain The injury caused severe crushing damage to the thumb making treatment and reconstruction more difficult than a cleancut injuryRecognising the urgency of the situation the emergency team promptly guided the patient on the correct method of preserving and transporting the severed thumb His family and friends were advised to gently clean it place it in a clean waterproof bag and keep it cool without direct contact with ice These timely measures helped maintain the viability of the amputated thumb and enabled the surgical team to proceed with reimplantation under optimal conditions He arrived at the hospital within two hours of the incident a crucial window for microsurgical successDuring the operation Dr Agarwal and his team meticulously repaired the bone arteries veins nerves and tendons using ultrafine sutures and stabilised the bone with a Kwire a temporary pin used to maintain alignment during healingThe Kolkatabased doctor explained ldquoHe came to our emergency with a completely amputated thumb caused by a blunt crushing injury which made reimplantation extremely complex We stabilised him immediately and proceeded with surgery Under the microscope we repaired the arteries veins nerves and tendons and fixed the bone with a Kwire Maintaining blood supply was critical and we were pleased that the thumb survived He had already begun using it physiotherapy has started and I am hopeful that he will regain very good function over timerdquoSharing his experience Bose said ldquoI was in shock and rushed straight to the hospital The team guided us on retrieving and preserving the thumb and my friends brought it back just in time I believe that helped us in saving my thumb I am extremely grateful to the doctors for their reassurance and care I feel positive about my recovery and doing my regular followups I have always been passionate about bikes and knowing I will be able to return to them means a lot to merdquoAfter a fiveday hospital stay he was discharged in stable condition with early thumb movement restored and physiotherapy underway Now four weeks postsurgery he continues to make steady progress and is being regularly followed up with the planned Kwire removal scheduled in two weeks He is expected to begin active thumb movement soon after and gradually return to his everyday activities