LONDON, Aug 22: A young woman who lost her hand in an industrial accident had a new one created by surgeons in a pioneering operation which used three fingers. ``stored'' and kept alive on her forearm. Surgeons at Saint James' Hospital in Leeds in northern England stitched the fingers back on to what was left of the 19-year-old's right hand after connecting them to an artery on her arm for eight months.During that time the appearance of the damaged hand was improved and a toe was taken off the woman's left foot to make a thumb.
Consultant plastic and hand surgeon Simon Kay, who carried out the 12-hour procedure on Wednesday, said, ``When we first examined the patient's hand we found the middle section was completely destroyed and beyond saving. ``The fingers, however, were undamaged so we saved three and joined them to the blood supply via an artery in the left forearm. ``Although the concept is very simple, it is a technical challenge to put all the pieces of the jigsaw together''. He added, ``Thishand will last a lifetime''. It is now hoped the woman, who lost the fingers on her hand in a machine heated to 160 degrees celsius last December, will be able to perform everyday tasks which have been impossible since the accident.
The woman, who does not want to be identified, said, ``The people who have seen the fingers have been amazed but shocked as well''.
She added, ``Even if I can just pick up a piece of paper it'll be wonderful''.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
Printer-friendly page