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 fallen into a state of unconsciousness 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 involved connecting blood vessels, nerves, and tendons, was successfully performed 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 care, said: That same morning, while mowing the field with a lawn mower, he accidentally cut his lower leg. His family then took him to the 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 leg reattachment team for the patient, 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 the capacity and means to reattach the severed limb.

- Preservation of severed limbs: Wash and wrap in wet gauze (or clean wet towel). Seal tightly 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