Kolkata surgeons reattach completely severed thumb in complex microsurgery
KOLKATA, Dec 15, 2025: Manipal Hospital Mukundapur has successfully performed a rare and highly complex microsurgical reimplantation of a completely severed right thumb, highlighting the hospital’s advanced emergency response and reconstructive surgery capabilities.
The intricate procedure was led by Dr. Akhilesh Kumar Agarwal, Consultant – Plastic Surgeon, with support from a multidisciplinary emergency and microsurgery team at the hospital, part of the Manipal Hospitals Group.
The patient, Proloy Bose, a 32-year-old businessman from Subhashgram in Sonarpur, was rushed to the hospital after his right thumb was accidentally amputated while cleaning his motorcycle. The thumb became trapped in the motorcycle’s chain cover, causing a severe crushing injury—significantly more challenging to repair than a clean-cut amputation.
Recognising the critical nature of the injury, the hospital’s emergency team immediately advised the patient’s family on the correct method of preserving and transporting the severed thumb. They were guided to gently clean it, place it in a clean waterproof bag, and keep it cool without allowing direct contact with ice. These timely measures helped preserve tissue viability. Bose reached the hospital within two hours of the accident, a decisive factor in the success of the microsurgical reimplantation.
During the prolonged and delicate operation, the surgical team meticulously repaired the bone, arteries, veins, nerves and tendons using ultra-fine sutures under a high-powered microscope. The bone was stabilised with a K-wire, a temporary pin used to maintain alignment during healing, while restoring blood flow remained the most critical challenge.
Explaining the complexity of the case, Dr. Akhilesh Kumar Agarwal said the blunt crushing nature of the injury made reimplantation particularly demanding. He noted that once blood circulation was successfully restored, the team closely monitored the thumb’s viability. With physiotherapy already underway, the patient has begun using the thumb, and functional recovery is expected to improve steadily over time.
Recalling the ordeal, Proloy Bose said he was initially in shock but was reassured by the medical team’s swift guidance. He credited the timely advice on preserving the amputated thumb for saving it and expressed gratitude for the care and confidence provided by the doctors. An avid motorcycle enthusiast, he said regaining the use of his thumb meant being able to return to a passion that is central to his life.
After a five-day hospital stay, Bose was discharged in stable condition with early thumb movement restored. Now four weeks post-surgery, he continues to show steady progress under regular follow-up. The K-wire is scheduled to be removed in two weeks, following which active thumb movement will begin, with a gradual return to normal daily activities expected.
