October 20, 2010
School of Medicine, Kochi
 

The Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Amrita School of Medicine was recently honored by India’s Southern Naval Commandant.
 

This was after a team of plastic surgeons from Amrita successfully replanted the detached fingers of a sailor in the Indian Navy.
 

The 20-year-old sailor, Deepak Singh, suffered an injury to his left thumb and fingertips, while cleaning the air-handling unit motor of the ship he worked on.
 

“The patient was brought in with severe pain and blood loss,” shared Dr. Sundeep Vijayaraghavan, who was called upon to operate on the patient. “The amputated parts were also brought with the proper precautions.”
 

Dr. Sundeep was joined by his colleagues Dr. Kishore P. and Dr. Gurpal Singh in performing the operation.
 

“The patient’s recovery was monitored closely for a period of one month. Now the K wires have been removed and he is starting to move the thumb and all his fingers.”
 

To honor the plastic surgeons, a special reception was organized aboard the INS Sanjeevani, where the sailor worked. The entire ship crew joined the captain in expressing gratitude and appreciation for the Amrita team.
 

“We wholeheartedly thank the Amrita surgeons for the excellent care and support they provided,” they stated, while ceremoniously handing over a plaque of honor.
 

This Amrita team is known for its expertise in performing such micro-vascular surgeries. The Department has perhaps performed the largest number of such surgeries in India. The faculty expertise has been recognized through several best paper awards in national level conferences.