Nghe An: Successfully reattached leg severed by lawn mower

(Baonghean.vn) - Patient Vi Van Nghiem, born in 1992, residing in Mau Duc commune, Con Cuong district, was hospitalized with severe blood loss and his right leg was severed due to carelessness while using a lawn mower.

The patient was admitted to Nghe An Orthopedic Trauma Hospital at 1:45 p.m. on March 28. Assessing that this was a serious injury, the patient had lost consciousness due to heavy bleeding, the hospital's doctors and nurses quickly performed resuscitation, stopped the bleeding and performed surgery to reattach the severed leg.

The surgery to reattach the severed leg of patient Vi Van Nghiem lasted 4 hours. Photo: Thu Hien

The 4-hour surgery, which combined blood vessel, nerve, and muscle connection, was successfully performed on the same day. After the surgery, the foot returned to a warm pink color, with clear pulses and the toes were able to move slightly.

Patient Vi Van Nghiem, who is continuing to receive post-operative resuscitation treatment, said: That same morning, he was using a machine to cut grass in the field when he accidentally cut his lower leg. After that, his family took him to Tay Nam General Hospital for first aid and then transferred him to the Orthopedic Trauma Hospital.

The main surgeon monitors the patient's recovery process after surgery. Photo: Thu Hien

Doctor Nguyen Duy Quyet - Head of the Upper Limb Department, main surgeon in the team that reattached the patient's lower leg, recommends what to do when encountering a case of severed limb:

- First aid: Apply pressure to stop bleeding, transfer the patient to the nearest medical facility for first aid. Then transfer the patient to a medical facility with sufficient capacity and equipment to reattach the severed limb.

- Preserve the severed limb: Wash and wrap in wet gauze (or clean wet towel). Seal in a plastic bag and store in an ice chest. Take the patient and the severed limb to the hospital as soon as possible, preferably within 6 hours.

Thu Hien