The human hand is a marvel of evolution. Its complex anatomy allows the hand to perform a vast range of movements, from the simple task of picking up a pencil to the complexities of playing a piano sonata. If your hand is injured or disabled, in any way, it needs to be examined by a hand surgeon. Dr Nilesh G Satbhai is an experienced hand surgeon in Mumbai, who can provide you with the care and treatment you need to improve the function of your hand.

What is Hand Surgery?

Hand surgery is a branch of surgery that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of hand disorders. Hand surgeons are specially trained in the anatomy and function of the hand, and they use this knowledge to treat hand disorders. Hand surgery can be performed to correct hand deformities, restore function of the hand, and relieve pain. Hand Surgery plays a crucial role in restoring the quality of life and increasing productivity, thus contributing immensely to nation building.

What is the procedure for Hand Surgery?

Hand surgery often necessitates reconstructive and microsurgical procedures. Reconstructive hand surgery is used to restore functional hand defects caused by trauma, disease, or birth abnormalities. Microsurgery is a method of surgery that uses a microscope to mend delicate tissues such as nerves and blood vessels.

Following are different procedures of hand surgery:

• Skin Grafts: In this procedure, skin is taken from another part of the body and transplanted to the hand. This is often done to treat wounds and raw areas.

• Skin Flaps: This is a procedure in which skin and underlying tissue are moved from one part of the hand to another. Flaps are often utilized when there is a deeper skin and soft tissue loss, or when critical underlying structures are exposed, such as bone, tendon, nerve or blood vessel. 

• Open Fracture Reduction And Fixation: This is a surgery that is used to repair an open fracture (a break in the bone that goes through the skin). It aims to clean the wound, set the bone, and then stabilize the bone with plates, screws, or wires.

• Closed Reduction And Fixation: This procedure is used to repair a closed fracture (a bone break that does not extend through the skin). The procedure aims to reduce the fracture and then stabilize it with plates, screws, or wires.

• Tendon Repair: Tendons are fibrous tissues that connect muscle to bone. Tendon repairs are still a surgical challenge because of their structure. Tendon injuries can be caused by trauma, infection, or spontaneous rupture.

Tendon repair can be divided into three categories: primary, delayed primary, and secondary. Primary repair involves direct surgical correction of the injury which is generally carried out within 24 hours of the injury. A delayed primary repair is done a few days after the injury while there is still an open wound. Secondary repairs can take two to five weeks or longer post-injury, and they may utilize tendon grafting, in which tendons from other regions of the body are used to mend the damaged tendon.

• Nerve Repair: The ulnar nerve, median nerve, and radial nerve are the three major nerves in the hand. Damage to these nerves from an accident might result in an inability to move or numbness in the hand. Some injuries to the nerve mend on their own, while others necessitate surgical treatment.

For the best outcomes, you’ll need to have nerve repairs completed soon after the injury. Before more injuries can complicate the problem, repairs to damaged nerves should be made as soon as possible.

In the case of a severed nerve, it is reconnected to the other side of the nerve. A nerve graft may be required, which is the process of transplanting nerves from other areas of the body into the damaged one. Following this, the damaged region is entirely restored.

• Surgical Drainage or Debridement: Surgical drainage is used to aid in the healing process as well as prevent infection by draining pus or other fluids from the wound. Debridement is the technique of removing dead or damaged tissue from a wound. It’s typically used in conjunction with other treatments, such as antibiotics and dressings.

• Joint Replacement: Joint replacement surgery (also known as arthroplasty) can help patients with severe arthritis in their hands. This procedure involves removing and replacing the damaged cartilage and bone with a prosthesis joint. The goal of this procedure is to alleviate pain, restore function, and increase a patient’s quality of life.

• Replantation/Revascularization: Replantation is a microsurgical procedure that reattaches a severed body part (such as a hand, finger, arm, or toe). This procedure can be incredibly complex and requires the use of an operating microscope. Revascularization is the process of restoring blood flow to a body part. It is often used in conjunction with replantation. This sort of surgery is often done in the event of an emergency.

What are the benefits of Hand Surgery?

Hand surgery may provide a wide range of advantages, including enhanced function, and mobility, as well as pain alleviation. Patients may also notice improvements in the look of their hands, depending on the procedure type.