Ganga Hospital in Coimbatore successfully reattached an amputated right arm of a newly married woman from Vedasithor, near Kinathukadu. While more than 1,000 replantations have been done at Ganga Hospital, the one performed at the hospital on the night of October 7, 2023, was remarkable due to the Fire Services Personnel of Coimbatore’s bravery, dedication and devotion to duty.
In a remarkable and life-saving effort, the Fire Services Department and 108 Services played a critical role in facilitating a complex hand reattachment surgery at Ganga Hospital. Bhavadharani, a newly married woman, faced a harrowing accident on October 7, 2023, at 8:30 p.m., when she fell into a 70-foot well and completely amputated her right arm.
Her husband, Sakthivel, who was with her during the accident, immediately called the fire services. Within half an hour, they arrived and, with immense bravery and quick thinking, lowered a cot into the well, secured her to it, and safely hoisted her to the surface. Despite initial doubts, they decided to transport her to Ganga Hospital and reached at 11.04 pm.
Meanwhile, the fire service personnel returned to the well, retrieved the amputated hand, and prepared it for transportation to the hospital and the amputated hand arrived within half an hour of Bhavadharani’s arrival at the hospital. The surgical team at Ganga Hospital faced a race against time, given that the amputation had occurred over three hours earlier.
Despite the odds, they successfully reattached the amputated hand, and the hand regained circulation and came back to life at 2:20 a.m. on Sunday. This incredible story underscores the importance of swift action, effective decision-making, and the presence of experienced medical professionals in emergencies.
Bhavadharani is making good progress now. She would need a skin graft procedure and major procedures later to keep the arm functional because nerves and muscles were torn and damaged when she fell 70 feet.
Dr. Raja Sabapathy, Chairman, Dept of Plastic Surgery, Hand and Microsurgery and Burns said, “The District Fire Safety Officer, Annadurai, and the dedicated personnel who attended the call that night deserve special recognition. Their decision-making, responsibility, and leadership paved the way for this incredible medical achievement.”
Dr. Raja Sabapathy, and Ganga Hospital extended their heartfelt appreciation to the Fire Services Department and 108 Services for their extraordinary dedication and life-saving actions. Bhavadharani’s inspiring recovery serves as a testament to the power of timely response and the unwavering commitment of those who stand at the front lines of saving lives in moments of crisis.
