In a stunning display of medical expertise, doctors at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi successfully replanted the severed index finger of a 28-year-old woman, overcoming the odds after the critical time for such surgeries had long passed. The patient, a teacher named Rupa, suffered her injury in a freak accident while using her washing machine.

The accident occurred when Rupa was removing clothes from the dryer while simultaneously trying to attend to her 10-month-old daughter, who had just woken up. In the chaos, her hand became stuck, and her index finger was severely crushed. The injury was so extensive that her finger hung by a thread, rapidly turning bluish due to a lack of blood flow.

Fighting Against Time

Typically, medical guidelines stress that for a severed or crushed limb to be successfully reattached, the procedure must begin within six hours of the injury. This timeframe allows surgeons to restore blood circulation and prevent tissue death. In Rupa’s case, however, a staggering 12 hours had passed before she could be operated on—double the recommended window.

Rupa arrived at the hospital at 10 PM but left after undergoing X-rays and some other preliminary procedures due to concerns for her baby. She first went home to feed her child and clean herself up. By the time she returned to Safdarjung Hospital the next morning, hours had slipped away, and the condition of her finger had worsened.

Despite this delay, the skilled team of surgeons from the Department of Plastic Surgery decided to attempt the replantation—a decision that would ultimately prove to be life-changing.

A Delicate, High-Stakes Surgery

Rupa’s finger was barely hanging on by a tendon when she arrived at the hospital for the second time. With no blood flow and significant nerve damage, the doctors faced a massive challenge. "We usually don't proceed with surgeries like this after so much time has passed because the blood vessels are often too damaged to reconnect," Dr. Kain explained to Drug Today Medical Times.

However, the team—comprising Dr. Shalabh Kumar, Dr. Upendra Sharma, Dr. Dhruti, and Dr. Nupur—opted to push forward. The surgery, which lasted three hours, involved reconnecting the tiny, delicate blood vessels and nerves. “These blood vessels are extremely thin, like threads, and the reattachment process is very intricate,” Dr. Shalabh Kumar noted.

The moment of success came when, after carefully reattaching one artery and one vein, the doctors saw the finger begin to regain its color. "When it started turning pink again, we knew we had restored circulation," said Dr. Kain.

Patient’s Ordeal and Gratitude

Recalling the incident, Rupa explained how the accident unfolded. “I was trying to grab my daughter while pulling clothes out of the dryer. My hand got stuck, and the machine tore into my finger."

Before heading to Safdarjung, she visited a nearby clinic, where she received tetanus and painkillers. However, the local doctors quickly referred her to Safdarjung Hospital, where her real journey to recovery began.

Now, just days after the surgery, Rupa expressed her deep gratitude. “I am so thankful to the doctors. They saved my finger, and I’m recovering faster than I could have imagined.”

A Triumph for Public Healthcare

This case highlights not only the expertise of Safdarjung Hospital’s plastic surgery team but also serves as a testament to the quality of care provided in government hospitals. “This kind of surgery, after a 12-hour delay, is rare and considered a milestone in finger replantation,” said Dr. Sujata Sarabahi, Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery. She added that such delicate procedures are possible only with the use of a microscope, underscoring the precision required.

The hospital’s Medical Superintendent also praised the surgical team for their commendable work, reinforcing the hospital's reputation as a center for complex medical cases.

The successful surgery has not only restored Rupa’s finger but also strengthened public faith in government hospitals, showcasing their ability to deliver world-class healthcare.