Man's hand saved from amputation -- after doctors place it inside his stomach

AsiaOne
​Monday, Apr 04, 2016

Surgeons in Brazil recently saved a 42-year-old man's damaged hand from amputation by placing it inside a pocket in his abdomen.

The Metro reported that machine operator Carlos Mariotti lost two of his fingers, as well as the skin off the front and back of his left hand in a workplace accident.

Dr Boris Brandao, who performed the surgery, described the injury as a case of 'degloving,' where skin is detached from the hand due to trauma, leaving the bones and tendons exposed.

To keep the tissue alive and to protect it from infection, doctors at Santa Otília Hospital decided to place the damaged hand inside the patient's abdomen cavity and covering it up with a flap of skin.

The appendage will remain there for about six weeks to allow it to grow new tissue and tendon material so that a skin graft can be carried out.

According to The Daily Mail UK, Mr Mariotti's doctors have also encouraged him to gently move his hand to prevent it from becoming stiff.

He said: "It's a really weird feeling, trying to wiggle my fingers inside my body and creepy seeing my tummy protrude slightly as I prod around".

In the meantime, he will undergo weekly check-ups to monitor the recovery of the damaged hand before going for a skin graft procedure.

Although it will not help him regain the full range of movements in his left hand, Mr Mariotti said: "I am just so grateful because at least I will still be able to hold a fork, grip a steering wheel and dress myself without any help."

minlee@sph.com.sg

AsiaOne

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