Bangkok: A team of doctors at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital successfully carried out a 20-hour operation to reattach the severed hand of a 14-year-old girl, who remains under close observation after the intensive procedure.
According to Thai News Agency, the incident unfolded when Mr. Jai Ai Mong, a known Myanmar gangster, and his gang attacked a group of individuals with machetes, injuring three people in the process. The attack took place on the night of September 17th at a laundry shop in Nong Pak Rang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province. Among the victims was a 14-year-old girl whose wrist was slashed as she attempted to protect herself. Police have since apprehended all 15 perpetrators involved in the assault.
Associate Professor Dr. Naren Chotirosniramit, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Chiang Mai University, reported that the girl was brought to the hospital with severe injuries, including a severed right hand and significant blood loss. The medical team from the Faculty of Medicine performed an emergency surgery lasting nearly 20 hours to reconnect her right arm and hand. The procedure involved repairing 21 major structures, including tendons, nerves, an artery, and veins, which constitute about 90 percent of the hand’s essential components.
The initial success of the surgery was marked by the restoration of blood supply to the reattached hand. However, continuous monitoring is crucial due to the risk of complications such as blood clots. The patient’s recovery will involve assessing the viability of the transplanted tissue and ensuring consistent blood flow.
Post-surgery, the reattached hand is stable but currently immobile. The recovery process will require nerve regeneration, and while some hand functions may be restored, there could be limitations, including reduced movement, joint stiffness, decreased sensation, and muscle function. Continuous and long-term physical therapy will be necessary for rehabilitation.
In terms of future implications, the young patient will require ongoing treatment and possibly additional surgeries to enhance her chances of regaining normal hand function. Psychological support will also be essential as she recovers from the psychological trauma of the attack.