The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) has successfully re-implanted a traumatically amputated hand of a 35year old patient.
The patient, identified as BK, had his left hand traumatically amputated through the carpus (wrist).
BK, who is a casual labourer, on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, had his left arm chopped off by his relative following a domestic disagreement.
After the incident, well-wishers took him to Sigowet Sub-county Hospital, Kericho County, where he received first aid treatment.
The patient was immediately referred to MTRH where he was taken to Majaliwa Theater where a team of specialized surgeons led by Dr Paul Mwangi undertook the surgery for 11 hours.
In theatre, two teams were alternately repairing/re-attaching the hand and revascularizing it. The re-implantation was completed at 3 am.
MTRH CEO Dr Wilson K Aruasa has confirmed the patient’s left forelimb was reversed successfully, and the patient was admitted to Post Anaesthesia Care Unit(PACU) overnight then Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for monitoring and IV Heparin infusion to ensure free flow of blood.
After completing the IV infusion, 48 hours later on August 10, 2023, the patient’s limb was splinted and rehabilitation initiated.
On Sunday, BK was moved from ICU to the General Orthopedics Ward where he will continue with daily reviews and occupational therapy rehabilitation.
Dr Aruasa has commended the Sigowet Hospital for preserving the patient’s hand in a cooler box and immediately transferring the patient for specialized treatment at MTRH.
“BK is a true hustler who engages in manual work. On the fateful day, he was out in search of a job. We are pleased to have successfully re-implanted his hand. MTRH supported Dr Paul to undertake his Hand surgery training at the University of The Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa in the year 2015/16,” stated Dr Aruasa.
“This successful highly specialized surgery is part of the fruits of MTRH Board & Management ( fully supported by the Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Health and the National Treasury & Economic Planning long-range goal of developing multi-and sub-speciality surgical & medical skills, continual staff capacity development, huge investments in medical infrastructure and specialized equipment with a high work performance culture.”
He added MTRH has facilitated the patient’s enrollment into National Health Insurance Fund(NHIF).
“This is true Universal Health Coverage (UHC) on every citizen’s access to healthcare and universal healthcare in terms of simultaneously accessing the highest level and quality specialized healthcare. It also underscores the successful strategic partnership with Indiana University and other collaborating institutions in the USA over the years,” Dr Aruasa added.
Kenya has only three hand specialist surgeons, one in Nairobi, another one in Nakuru and the MTRH.
The surgery, one of the rarest in East Africa, was undertaken by a team of 13 highly specialized surgical doctors.
