Severed Hand Implanted into Stomach For Regrowth of Tissues in Brazil

Brazilian doctors have tried out an innovative way to restore the hand of a victim who lost his fingers and wrist in a gruesome accident. Carlos Mariotti, a 42-year-old man, lost his hand while working in a factory machinery. The machine cut his index and middle fingers while he tried to pull out his hand and also took most of the skin on the wrist and back of his hand.

He was immediately taken to Santa Otilia Hospital in southern Brazil for treatment. Boris Brandao, a traumatology and orthopedic surgeon at the hospital tried to restore his hand through a different approach.

Since the injury was large as it exposed his tendons and bones, Brandao decided to implant Mariotti's hand inside his stomach. The hand will remain inside for 42 days to grow new tissues and tendons. After that, Brandao hopes that the hand will be ready for a skin graft.

Mariotti's hand has been tightly placed inside his abdomen and to avoid movement, doctors have wrapped thick bandages around his waist. But doctors have also advised him to slightly move his fingers to prevent stiffening of muscles inside the stomach.

Brandao said that though Mariotti will never be able to regain his full hand, this process may help him get a working hand that can do the pincer movement.

Source-Medindia