Vietnam doctors reattach severed foot to patient 3.5 hours after accident

Leaders of the Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital said on Monday that they had succeeded in performing surgery to reattach the cut-off foot of the 69-year-old patient.

The patient, Tran Ngoc Tuat from Quang Tri Province, which borders Hue City, was admitted to the hospital about three hours and 30 minutes after the accident.

Upon receiving the patient, the plastic and reconstructive unit of the orthopedics and trauma department quickly assessed the injuries and initiated emergency surgery.

The surgery was carried out by a team led by Dr. Le Hong Phuc and Dr. Nguyen Ba Luu, in coordination with an anesthesia and resuscitation team. After cleaning the wound, doctors used K-wires to fix the tibia and fibula.

During the four-hour surgery, critical structures including blood vessels, nerves, the great saphenous vein, and lower leg muscle groups were reconnected.

Notably, the time from hospital admission to surgery was minimized, helping to limit warm ischemia, a key factor determining the survival of the limb.

After the operation, the patient’s foot initially regained warmth and circulation was restored. The patient is currently under close monitoring.

According to Dr. Le Hong Phuc, the initial positive outcome was achieved thanks to the swift and coordinated efforts of all teams, especially the anesthesia and resuscitation unit.