Timely treatment saves limb and life

March 21, 2019 12:56 am | Updated 12:56 am IST - CHENNAI

When K. Suresh, 32, was advised amputation of his left foot following a crush injury caused by a power drill, he was petrified.

Mr. Suresh of Tiruvannamalai district was treated at a nearby hospital immediately after the accident. But when he developed septicemia, the doctors there told him amputation was the only option.

He sought second opinion at Parvathy Hospital, where plastic surgeon V.T.S. Arul Sivakumar and orthopaedic surgeon Dharmaraj advised immediate surgery to avoid amputation.

Dr. Arul said the unique technique of multiple wiring and vacuum-assisted wound closure was used after surgically removing the dead tissues surrounding the wound.

“There were large wounds of 20x10 cm on the upper side and 10x15 cm on planter side of the foot, including the leg. During the treatment, all his wounds were covered with skin graft from the patient’s own body and final surgery was performed. Finally, when all wounds healed, all the wires were completely removed, and the patient was able to walk on his own within two weeks,” he said.

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