Mangalore: Doctors at Father Muller save young man’s hand from amputation

Media Release

Mangalore, Nov 23: The doctors from the department of orthopedics, Father Muller Medical College Hospital performed a rare surgery for the second time. Dr Lathesh Latheef, unit chief of hand and micro surgery, FMMCH and his eminent team of doctors from the department of hand & micro surgery and anesthesiology had the rare distinction of performing one more surgery in restoring the amputated upper limb at the arm level of 29-year-old patient. On a previous occasion they had also performed a unique surgery in restoring an amputated leg.

Raheem (name changed), a pickup driver by profession who also prepares wooden boxes for sound system, lives with his wife and two children in Vittal. On November 17 when he was working on the wood cutting machine preparing the wooden boxes, it rammed on his right hand and also his leg, amputating his right upper limb at the arm level and causing minor injury to his leg.

Dr Lathesh Latheef said,“An artery which supplies blood to the upper limb was cut. After three hours of prolonged surgery the blood supply was restored and revascularization was achieved, in addition the nerves and muscles were repaired and a vein was adapted to play a role of an artery. The fact that the patient reached the hospital within 4 hours of the accident also added to the success of the surgery.” He further said the patient is recuperating but needs about eight months to recover completely as the nerves have to grow.

Raheem said, “Me and my family were shattered by the sight of my hand. I never thought I would come back to normal state. I am grateful to Dr Latheesh Latheef and his team for saving me."

These kinds of rare operations in the hospital are conducted by eminent surgeons whenever such mishaps take place. Father Muller Medical College Hospital provides specialized treatment with latest technology to meet the needs of the patient.