A 13-year-old boy (name is not mentioned to protect patient privacy) was brought to Artemis Hospitals following a traumatic injury to his right thumb caused by a kutti machine (chaff cutter) accident. The injury resulted in a near-total amputation of the thumb, with only a minimal soft tissue attachment remaining. Such injuries are considered surgical emergencies, as prolonged interruption of blood supply can make replantation impossible and lead to permanent loss of thumb function. Understandably, the severity of the injury was distressing for the patient’s family, particularly given the risk of long-term functional impairment of the hand.
The patient was assessed and treated by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Singh, Head - Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery, along with the emergency and surgical teams at Artemis Hospitals. Clinical examination showed severe damage to the thumb, involving the bones, blood vessels, nerves, and tendon attachment structures. Given the complexity of the injury and the limited time available to salvage the tissue, the patient was immediately taken in for emergency microsurgical thumb replantation.
During the procedure, the surgical team carried out a highly delicate reconstruction using advanced microscopic techniques under microscopic magnification. The fractured bone was stabilised, damaged blood vessels were reconnected to restore blood flow, and the damaged nerves and tendons were carefully repaired to support the best possible functional recovery. Given the complexity of the injury and the fragile nature of the affected structures, the surgery required exceptional precision and close coordination throughout the operation.
Following the surgery, the child was kept under close observation, and the replacement thumb showed healthy blood circulation and positive early recovery. Over the following days, his condition remained stable, with positive signs of healing and preservation of function. The treating team is optimistic about a meaningful recovery of thumb movement and long-term hand function.
