Indus Valley Times

By Chitta Ranjan Beura

Cuttack, Jan. 22: A team of eight doctors at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Odisha’s Cuttack city has successfully reconstructed the right thumb of youth by grafting the index finger of the left leg toe.

The team led by Dr Bibhuti Bhusan Nayak, head of the plastic surgery department, took eight hours to successfully reconstruct the thumb which had got severed in a factory accident.

According to Dr Nayak, Sitakant Barik of Bhadrak was under serious stress after losing his right thumb in an accident while he was working at a spinning mill in Tamil Nadu. A few days ago, he approached him and apprised about the inconveniences she suffered in his everyday life after the accident and wanted to know if there was any medical solution to his problem.

 “I explained to Sitakanta about thumb reconstruction surgery and categorically told him that there was a maximum possibility of success in this kind of exercise. However, sometimes there is a little risk. He came forward and said he would bet on the surgery as it would enable him to return to work again. It took us around 10 days to complete all investigations to prepare the patient for the surgery,” said Dr Nayak

The thumb reconstruction surgery is the first of its kind in Odisha and at SCB Medical College and Hospital.

“As the surgery was complex, we brought it before the public today as the patient is out of the danger zone,” said Dr Nayak on Saturday.

“We are quite happy that the doctors have brought back smiles on the face of our son. The doctors not only successfully reconstructed the finger but saved our family,” said parents of Sitakanta.

Dr Nayak further said the entire operation was complex in nature and there was also huge pressure on the team.

“Despite the challenges, we performed the transplant after a tiring eight hours of efforts,” Dr Nayak added.

“I was working in Tamil Nadu when I lost my thumb. I was disturbed following the mishap. Now I am happy that I will be able to work again,” said Sitakanta.