Swift action and a multi-disciplinary team of leading trauma surgeons at NMC Royal Hospital, DIP, led to the successful reattachment of a middle-aged man's forearm following a near-total amputation caused by a motorcycle accident.
The complex surgery, involving a multidisciplinary team of trauma specialists and advanced technology, saved the man’s arm and restored his quality of life.
Swift action saves limb
Following the accident, the patient was rushed to NMC Royal Hospital where plastic surgeons Dr Adil Ali and Dr Vikas Verma, orthopaedic surgeon Dr Sunil Kulkarni, and anaesthetists Dr Rashmi Annigeri, Dr Varnika Minhas, and Dr Hamsenandinie Carounagarane, acted swiftly to minimise tissue damage and begin the complex process of saving and reattaching the forearm.
Surgical precision and teamwork
The surgery itself was a marathon effort, lasting nearly 10 hours. Within 50 minutes of entering the operating room, plastic surgeons restored blood flow to the hand using vascular shunts. This is a very critical step and must be accomplished within three hours of the time of injury to significantly improve the chances of a successful reimplantation. The cut nerves were reconstructed with nerve grafts. The surgery for the arteries, veins and nerves are very delicate and must be done with high degree of precision using and operating microscope (microsurgery) for a successful outcome.
The orthopaedic team then stepped in and meticulously repaired the fractured bones while the anaesthesia team provided anesthesia support for the 10-hour long procedure.
Long road to recovery
The reattachment surgery was successful, and the patient’s limb was salvaged. However, he will need physiotherapy, electrical muscle stimulation, and occupational therapy to regain full range of function in the hand. Additionally, further minor surgeries may be needed in future to enhance the functional and aesthetic outcome.
Commitment to patient care
NMC Royal Hospital DIP’s trauma unit is a state-of-the-art emergency facility that treats patients with critical or life-threatening injuries. Comprehensive, multi-disciplinary emergency medical services are provided by NMC’s leading trauma surgeons who have advanced training and extensive expertise in critical and invasive procedures. They are dedicated to providing advanced trauma care that saves lives and restores hope and function for their patients.
Personalised and compassionate care
NMC Healthcare is one of the largest private healthcare networks in the UAE, and the third largest in Oman. Since 1975, we have provided high quality, personalised, and compassionate care to our patients and are proud to have earned the trust of millions of people in the UAE and around the world.
Our network is made up of 85 medical facilities, including JCI-accredited, multi-specialty hospitals in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Al Ain, as well as medical centres, community clinics, day surgery centres, fertility clinics, home health services, and long-term care facilities throughout the UAE. The NMC Healthcare Group also includes the ProVita International Medical Centre, CosmeSurge, and Fakih IVF Fertility Centre brands. NMC’s Fakih IVF is ranked as one of the leading in-vitro fertilization service providers worldwide.
Whether it is providing comprehensive medical services directly to patients, or in collaboration with healthcare providers internationally, NMC Healthcare is committed to delivering high quality, personalised care that matters.
