Warning: Graphic Content
SWNSA dad from India who had his entire arm ripped off by a train has had it reattached thanks to an intensive surgical procedure.
28-year-old Ahmedabad Gujarat was waiting to board a late night train in Mumbai when he slipped and fell into the gap in-between the train and the platform.
Sickeningly, Ahmedabad could only watch as the train carriage ran over and sliced his right arm clean off.
SWNSFather-of-three Ahmedabad was rushed to hospital, with friends having the foresight to carry along the severed arm in a plastic bag.
Last month, Ahmedabad was admitted to the plastic surgery unit, where surgeons carried out an incredible seven-hour procedure to reattach the arm.
The operation was a success, with Ahmedabad’s arm reattached to his body thanks to the skill of the surgeons.
Following the procedure, Ahmedabad has undergone several skin grafting surgeries to treat the remaining raw areas of his arm.
SWNSConsultant Dr Nitin Ghag has made the following statement following Ahmedabad’s surgery:
Any amputation and amputations of upper extremities, in particular, have a major impact on patients’ lives, as loss of function can not affect his daily life but also hinder social interactions and capacity for work.
Dr Ghag continued:
As major amputation occur frequently with high-energy trauma, accompanied by various and occasionally life-threatening injuries, it is important to primarily address those injuries to save the patient’s life.
The decision between salvaging or amputating a limb must be made rapidly.
It is not yet known whether or not Ahmedabad will regain feeling in the repaired limb.
SWNSAccording to a fascinating How Stuff Works article about the history of limb reattachment, surgeons must perform a series of complex steps to ensure the limb will survive upon reattachment:
First they’ll reattach the bone, using pins or wire to hold it together. Then specialists will restart blood flow by suturing the arteries and blood vessels.
Next, surgeons begin the laborious process of reconnecting tendons, muscle tissue and nerves, although nerve reattachment can be saved for a later date. Finally, using grafts from other parts of the patient’s body if necessary, the skin is stitched back together.
Limbs can reportedly be reattached up to four days following amputation if it has been refrigerated, however this should ideally be done within a day.
An arm left at room temperature will need to be reattached within six to 12 hours due to deterioration of muscle tissue.
SWNSHere’s wishing Ahmedabad a full recovery following this terrifying ordeal.
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Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.