In one of the very rare such surgeries East African-wide, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) has successfully re-implanted a traumatically amputated hand of a patient.
A statement from the MTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr Wilson Aruasa says the 35-old male patient had a Left Hand Traumatic Amputation through the carpus (wrist).
The patient only identifed as BK does casual work at home.
The hospital notes that the said patient sustained the injury following a domestic assault on August 8, 2023.
He was referred from Sigowet Sub County Hospital, in Kericho at 11.45 am and arrived at the Eldoret-based hospital’s Emergency Department at 4pm.
The Amputated limb was then preserved in a cool box and patient taken to theatre within 15 minutes of arrival.
“In theatre, 2 teams alternately repairing/re-attaching the limb + revascularization. Re-implantation successfully completed at 3am (a whopping 11 hours marathon surgery!),” Dr Aruasa said in the statement issued on Sunday, August 13, 2023.
“Patient reversed successfully, admitted to Post Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU) overnight then Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for monitoring and IV Heparin infusion. Completed the IV infusion 48 hours later on Thursday 10/08/2023, limb splinted and rehabilitation initiated,” he added.
The hospital has reported that the patient was doing well post-operatively.
He has since been moved from ICU to General Orthopedics (Male) Ward where he will continue with daily reviews/initiation of Occupational Therapy rehabilitation.
Medical report indicate that the hand is vitally and successfully re-established with good Doppler ultrasound findings.
Surgical team
The participating Surgical team was comprised of Francis Kosgei – Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE) and Theatres Sharon Cherotich – Perioperative Nursing Officer(NO), Nehemiah Nyainda – Perioperative NO, Rose Keino NO Post Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Caren Cherotich – Student Nurse, Oscar Ang’anda – Student Nurse Michael Omondi- Clinical Officer(CO) Anaesthest Ezra Samoita-CO Anesthetist, Dr Brian Christie- Plastic Surgeon, Indiana University (IU), Dr Andrew Vernadi- Plastic Surgeon, IU Dr Gregory Wekesa-MTRH COSECSA Orthopaedics & Trauma Resident Dr Harsh Vadgama- MTRH Consultant Orthopedics & Trauma( Shoulder Surgeon) and Dr Paul Mwangi-Team Leader MTRH Consultant Orthopedics & Trauma(Hand Surgeon).
Kenya has only three Hand Specialist Surgeons, one in Nairobi, another one in Nakuru and the one in MTRH.
MTRH supported Dr. Paul to undertake his Hand Surgery training at University of The Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa in the year 2015/16.
“This successful highly specialized surgery is part of the fruits of MTRH Board and Management (fully supported by Government of Kenya through Ministry of Health and The National Treasury & Economic Planning) long-range goal of developing multi-and sub-specialty surgical & medical skills, continual staff capacity development, huge investments in medical infrastructure and specialized equipment with a high work performance culture,” Dr Aruasa said.
The hospital noted that the patient has not enrolled into National Health Insurance Fund(NHIF) but said it will facilitate his enrollment accordingly.
“This is true Universal Health Coverage(UHC) on every citizen’s access to healthcare and Universal Health Care(UHC) in terms of simultaneously accessing the highest level and quality specialized healthcare,” noted the MTRH boss.
“It also underscores successful Strategic partnership with Indiana University(and other collaborating Institutions), USA over the years,” he added.
