Complex surgery saves 45-yr-old from amputation

A 45-year-old man got a new lease of life after his left leg was saved from amputation by performing a successful complex microvascular surgery to reconstruct the damaged tissues at Livasa Hospital recently.

The man was brought to the hospital in a critical condition after he suffered from severe industrial trauma, resulting in near total amputation of his right leg.

Dr Aditya Aggrawal and Dr Saurabh Vashisht, both ortho surgeons, stabilised the patient’s leg using external fixation, which is a critical step in saving the limb. After the patient’s stabilisation, the plastic surgery team, led by Dr Nikhil Makkar, performed a complex reconstruction procedure.

Dr Aditya Aggrawal said that with timely intervention and reconstruction, the patient’s leg and foot were saved from amputation. With proper physiotherapy, the patient is expected to regain mobility and walk on the affected foot, said Dr Saurabh Vashisht.

Speaking about the case, Dr Nikhil Makkar said, “We executed a free flap procedure to achieve bony and wound coverage, thus salvaging the patient’s leg and foot. Microvascular surgery is a highly specialised surgical technique used to repair or reconstruct tiny blood vessels, typically ranging from 3-5 millimeters in diameter.”

He added that the procedure demanded exceptional precision, dexterity and training. It requires expertise in connecting tiny arteries and veins with ultra-fine sutures, flap transfers, nerve coaptation and coupling devices, he further added.