Surgeons in Brazil have used an unusual method to save a man’s hand from being amputated by placing it inside a pocket in his abdomen. Carlos Mariotti, who lives in Orleans and works at a local factory, lost his hand during a production machine accident. The man was alone at the moment when his hand was dragged into the equipment, causing him hellish pain.
when his co-workers failed to hear his agonised screams, the 42-year-old pulled his hand out of the machine himself loosing his index and middle fingers. Seconds later the terrified colleagues came to his aide, wrapped what was left of his hand in tight bandages to stop excessive bleeding.Recalling the day Carlos, who is still in hospital, said: “It was like watching a movie play out in front of me. I saw the machine pulling my hand in and couldn’t do anything about it. I still get very emotional when I think about the accident. But it was only when doctors told me I could lose my hand that I realised the gravity of the situation. When I woke up from the operation I didn’t know whether it was still
The man was rushed to hospital, where medics decided to perform an immediate operation in order to save the man’s hand. Orthopaedic and traumatology doctor Boris Brandao explained the procedure: “Mr Marriot had a very large and delicate injury and the only place we could fit the whole hand was in the abdomen.
In order to keep the wounded hand alive, we opened the abdomen, took off the skin and put it inside the cavity to protect it. The patient’s hand must stay in the pocket for about 42 days to ensure it develops new tissue and tendon material which is capable of receiving a replanted skin graft. Mr Mariotti will suffer impaired function as he will not get all the movement back in his hand. But he will have a working hand and will be able to do the pincer movement. At least this is a better quality of life compared to having an amputated hand.Despite having only three fingers on his righ hand now Mr Mariotti calls himself a lucky man. He said: “It’s a really weird feeling trying to wiggle my fingers inside my body and creepy seeing my tummy protrude slightly as I prod around. I am just so grateful because at least I will still be able to hold a fork, grip a steering wheel and dress myself without any help.
Now I just have to remember to keep my hand in ‘my pocket’. Doctors have already drummed it in to me that pulling it out would be catastrophic and I’m making sure I don’t do that.” He is to spend next six weeks with damaged limb tucked deep in the belly, while doctors will monitor the progress of the unusual treatment.
