GMCH-32 adds feather to its cap

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 17

Doctors at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, achieved a rare milestone after double re-implantation surgery was performed on a 40-year-old borewell mechanic.

Doctors said the mechanic got accidental amputation of his both feet at 10 am on July 8.

“The patient with right foot completely severed, which was separately brought by relatives, and left foot attached to the respective leg by a mere tag of skin reached the hospital within an hour of the incident and the challenging task to rejoin was undertaken,” said Dr Mitesh Bedi, plastic surgeon, GMCH-32, said.

Doctors said the operation involved repair of bones, small blood vessels, nerves, muscles and tendons within the shortest possible time.

After 10 hours of prolonged surgery, the feet were attached.

Doctors who performed the surgery said the first few hours in such cases were critical. Otherwise, it can cause complexities in the surgery that could be dangerous for the patient also.

In this case, the surgery, which was started within two hours of the accident, was performed by Dr Mitesh Bedi, plastic surgeon, Dr Sidharth Garg, vascular surgeon, and Dr Rohit Jindal, orthopaedician.

Doctors said after reviewing the literature, they could say that such surgeries had been performed in rare conditions.

“Re-implantation of a limb in itself is a technically demanding procedure and surgical intervention for both the limbs is an extremely rare entity, which has its own challenges and complexities,” they said.

This patient might require a couple of reconstructive procedures in coming times and is admitted to the ICU.

The doctors said after conducting reconstructive procedures like skin draft, the patient would be able to lead a near-normal life.