Replantation is a procedure by which a surgeon reattach completely detached part of a person’s body, finger, hand, arm or ear. Not always a detached part is expected to reattach, whenever the body part is severely damaged (like following crush injuries) sometimes it is not possible for replantation procedure.
Although this procedure appears as if sticking back in case of damaged objects with glue but it is a complex procedure and involves following steps to revitalize the part:
- The separated part has to be brought properly preserved,
- The separated part is then properly cleaned, bone ends are shortened and reattached with pins/wires/plate and screws. This will allow stabilizing to carryout rest of procedure,
- The tendons, arteries, veins, and nerves are then repaired. Whenever there is a deficiency of these tissues may need to use grafts of the same tissues (bone/skin/blood vessels) that can be usually obtained from the same individual’s body.
After the procedure, the outcome depends upon several factors and it is usually never 100% as before the injury.
Physiotherapy is important during the recovery phase. It helps to retrain, relearn and restore the functions as before under supervision without further injury during the recovery period.
Physiotherapy helps to keep the joints from getting stiff, helps to keep mobile, and helps to keep remodel the scar tissue. Depending upon the recovery and assessment during the period the individual might require few secondary procedures to regain the functions. As the recovery period might long and it can take away individuals from there daily routines and sometimes depend on others and hence can affect a person emotionally. You may feel shocked, grief, anger, disbelief or disappointment because the body part is not as it was before. These feelings are common. Talking about these feelings with your doctor often helps you come to terms with the outcome.
