Ho Chi Minh City hospital spends 12 hours reattaching man’s severed hands

Dr. Tran Phuoc Binh from the hospital’s department of orthopedic trauma confirmed on Thursday that the surgical team had treated a 40-year-old man, P.T.C. from Dong Thap Province, who suffered catastrophic injuries to both hands during a violent altercation with neighbors.

The patient was rushed to the hospital at around 11:00 pm on October 16 in a state of severe hemorrhagic shock.

He had multiple injuries, including deep cuts to his chest, back, and both hands.

One hand was completely severed, while the other was nearly detached, held on only by a small portion of skin and bone.

Upon arrival, the hospital activated its ‘red alert’ protocol, mobilizing staff from the emergency, orthopedic trauma, and anesthesia-resuscitation departments.

After doctors stabilized the patient with blood transfusions and other measures, he was immediately taken to the operating room.

Dr. Binh described the procedure as one of the most complex and high-pressure cases he has handled.

The surgery lasted 12 hours and involved three coordinated orthopedic teams.

They focused on initial treatment of both limbs, including wound cleaning, bone stabilization, and microsurgical preparation.

The medical team continued to reconnect blood vessels, nerves, and tendons in both hands.

The nearly cut right hand required bone reconstruction and meticulous microsurgical repair of blood vessels and nerves under a microscope.

Meanwhile, the completely severed left hand posed even greater challenges due to extensive tissue damage and unstable vital signs.

At one point, surgeons had to reopen the wound to reestablish blood flow.

At 1:00 pm the following day, the surgery was successfully completed.

Both hands were warm, pink, and showed strong signs of viability.

Ten days after the microsurgical reattachment, the patient underwent additional skin grafting.

After a period of physical therapy and careful monitoring of vital signs, the patient’s condition stabilized, and both hands remained functional.

He has since been discharged from the hospital.

First aid for severed limbs

Dr. Binh noted that recent months have seen an increase in trauma cases related to fights, often linked to alcohol-related disputes.

However, not all cases can be successfully treated if timely and proper first aid is not provided.

The doctor emphasized that immediate and correct first aid is critical in such accidents.

Patients should have bleeding controlled, while the severed limb is carefully wrapped in a clean cloth and placed in a sealed plastic bag, which is then put in a container of ice water.

The patient should be transported as quickly as possible to a medical facility capable of performing microsurgery, where timely intervention can save the limb.