Mumbai: Team of doctors reattach severed thumb of man after 7 hours surgery

Rohan Ajgaonkar with Dr Nilesh G Satbhai at Global Hospitals, Parel

A 42-year-old banker from a western suburb, who is also a two-wheeler adventure enthusiast, is all praise for a team of doctors that reattached his left thumb after it got severed in a freak accident.

On Wednesday, a beaming Rohan Ajgaonkar walked out of Global Hospitals at Parel following a post-surgery check-up. While he has gained sensation in the affected area, the doctors have told me he can once again hit the road in a few weeks.

On the afternoon of December 30, Rohan was lubricating the chain of his Royal Enfield Interceptor-650, a gift that he had received from his wife a year ago, when things went wrong in a hurry.

The thumb stitched back

"A dry cloth that I had kept on the seat for cleaning fell due to the breeze and almost got entangled in the chain. Since the engine was on, as an impulsive act, I tried to pull it. But in the process, my left thumb got into the rotating chain. Within seconds, I pulled out my hand only to realise blood oozing out," said Rohan, who works as a vice-president (real estate) at Citibank, BKC.

Rohan first thought he had sustained a minor cut, but the sight left him stunned. "My thumb was missing. I looked around and found the crushed portion four five feet away."

Rohan had numerous encounters with accidents, the worst being near Panvel 17 years ago, when his bike hit a stationary road boulder parked at a road construction site. It was not lit nor were there any safety signs. He sustained a head injury and multiple fractures and survived only because he was wearing the helmet. But this was the first incident, where his body part was amputated. The banker kept calm and remembered a senior doctor who had operated on him for his head injury.

"The surgeon, who is no longer practising, asked me to send a picture of the injury. On seeing it, the surgeon asked me to contact Dr Nilesh G Satbhai at Global Hospitals and said I would require immediate microvascular surgery to reattach the amputated thumb within the golden hours."

As advised by Dr Satbhai, Rohan wrapped the split body part in a plastic bag and secured it in another plastic bag containing ice cubes. "Being a retired staff nurse at KEM, my mother was able to understand the urgency and we rushed to Global Hospitals," recalled Rohan.

Seven-hour surgery
At the Parel hospital, a team of doctors carried out a supra major surgery for about 7 hours to reattach the severed thumb. He remained there till January 5. Considering that his wife Jagruti had gifted him the bike, she was riddled with guilt, said Rohan.

Dr Satbhai, Head of Department - Plastic, Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery and Transplant Surgery, said they come across several cases of youngsters or bike enthusiasts who come for finger crush injuries. He said preservation of the severed finger is key in saving it.

"The threads (sutures) required to join these blood vessels are much thinner than human hair and are barely visible to naked eyes. Hence, such procedures can only be performed under an operating microscope. The nerves and tendons were then repaired. Reconstructive microsurgery aims to restore the normal form and function of the body part to its maximum extent," said Dr Satbhai.

Hospital CEO Dr Vivek Talaulikar added, "Our doctors are experienced in performing innumerable life and limb-saving surgeries. Victims in some of the worst accidental injuries have returned home with their quality of life restored. If you or your loved ones have the misfortune of becoming a victim of traumatic injuries, my advice is to find professional help at a hospital equipped to handle such emergencies."

As he waits to take to the road, Rohan says bikers like him should be cautious while maintaining their vehicles or get it done from a professional.

How to save an amputated digit or limb
1. Wrap the severed digit in a sterile dry gauze
2. Place it in a clean plastic bag and secure the bag tightly
3. Place the packet in another plastic bag filled with ice cubes. Secure both bags with their ends upright

Caution:
1. Never allow the amputated part to be in direct contact with the ice or water
2. never keep it in the freezer compartment of a fridge
3. If in doubt, contact a plastic surgeon immediately

30
Day in December when Ajgaonkar's thumb got severed