Severed Hand of Worker Caught in Chappathy-Making Machine Successfully Reattached at Aster MIMS Kannur
KANNUR: In a remarkable medical feat, the severed right hand of a young woman from Kasaragod, which was crushed in a chappathi-making machine, was successfully reattached through a highly complex reconstructive surgery at Aster MIMS Hospital, Kannur. An expert medical team from the hospital’s Plastic Surgery Department successfully executed the hours-long surgical mission. Considering the severe and complex nature of the injury, state-of-the-art microsurgery facilities were urgently arranged to bring the patient back to a normal life.
The unforeseen accident occurred at the chapati-making unit where the young woman was employed. While feeding dough into the flattening machine, her hand got caught between the heavy rollers and was severed. The bones in her forearm were shattered, and the skin, muscles, and major blood vessels were completely crushed.
In a critical situation where blood circulation to the severed hand had entirely ceased and the tissues were dying, a specialist team led by Dr. Nibu Kuttappan, Consultant, Plastic Surgery Department, successfully reattached the limb through a complex surgery that lasted several hours. The first phase of the procedure involved meticulously reconstructing the shattered bones to their precise anatomical structure using special metal wires. Subsequently, to bypass the severely crushed blood vessels and nerves, healthy blood vessels and muscles were harvested from the patient’s leg and other body parts to restore blood circulation to the hand.
Following continuous monitoring in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the injured hand has healed significantly, and the patient has regained mobility. She is currently undergoing physiotherapy to ensure complete functional recovery. The multidisciplinary surgical team also included Dr. Arjun Unnikrishnan and Dr. Nipun, Orthopaedic surgeons Dr. Sandeep and Dr. Anupam, and Anaesthetists Dr. Anoop Joy and Dr. Keerthi.
Dr. Madhuchandra, Head of the Plastic Surgery Department, highlighted that the mission’s success was largely due to the patient being rushed to the hospital within the crucial first few hours of the accident. This timely intervention enabled the commencement of surgical procedures before the tissues suffered irreversible damage.
Dr. Anoop Nambiar, Chief Operating Officer, Aster MIMS Kannur, stated that the hospital equipped with the advanced medical infrastructure and specialist expertise required to manage highly complex emergencies involving amputated or severely crushed body parts.
Hospital authorities reiterated that Aster MIMS Kannur aims to be the ultimate healthcare refuge for the people of the North Malabar region, ensuring precise, high-quality medical care during emergencies.
