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Case Reports
. 2020 Nov 18:27:17-22.
doi: 10.1016/j.jpra.2020.11.006. eCollection 2021 Mar.

Hand replantation using loupe magnification in a resource constrained environment: Case report

F W Nangole  1 , S O Khainga  1 , W A Okello  1 , P Ajujo  1 , J P Ogallo  1 , D Jowi  1 , A Muoke  1 , F Wanjiru  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Hand replantation using loupe magnification in a resource constrained environment: Case report

F W Nangole et al. JPRAS Open. .

Abstract

Hand replantation is a common surgical procedure worldwide. However, this practice is underdeveloped in many resource-constrained countries in part due to a lack of surgical microscopes. We present a patient successfully managed using loupe magnification. A 17-year-old patient presented with an amputated right hand secondary to a chaff cutter. After an 8-hour surgical procedure, the amputated hand was successfully re-attached to the stump using loupes. The patient's functional recovery was satisfactory after two years of follow-up. In conclusion, replantation of extremities can be successfully achieved using loupe magnification. Loupes should be considered an alternative to operating microscopes for replantation of extremities especially in resource-constrained countries.

Keywords: Hand replantation; Loupes; Sub-Saharan Africa.

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Conflict of interest statement

There is no conflict of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The hand was transported to the hospital in a cooler.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The hand completely attached to the forearm; note the fasciotomy area that was intentionally left on the anterior lateral aspect. It was skin grafted 2 weeks later.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The patient was managed with the dynamic Kleinert splint for at least six months.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The patient was able to extend all of his fingers’ metacarpal and inter-phalangeal joints at nine months after surgery.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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