First composite facial part replant performed

KOCHI: For the first time in the country, a composite facial part replant was performed at a hospital in the city. Six-year-old Abhay Kumar had met with an accident and lost his nose, upper lip and a portion of the cheek and lower lip. But after a seven-hour surgery, the doctors at the Specialists’ Hospital led by Dr R Jayakumar were successful in replanting his facial parts.It was really challenging as the most difficult part was that of connecting the blood vessels. But everything is fine and the boy is recovering, Jayakumar told reporters. Though facial replants had been done earlier, it is for the first time that a facial part replant is being done, he claimed. The composite facial part replant involves the fixing of flesh, skin, muscles, bone, cartilage, nerve, artery and vein, which is often a difficult process, Hospital MD Rajappan K R said.  The replant was performed on December 20, the day of the accident.Abhay met with the accident at Aranmula when he and his parents were going to Pathanamthitta in an autorickshaw. The boy would be able to go home in two weeks. In a year or so, he will completely recover.    The doctors could perform the task as the parts that were brought from the accident site were well preserved. If the parts were not preserved, then it could have been difficult. Moreover, the parts were brought in time, he said.  Apart from Dr Jayakumar, the others involved in the replant include anaesthetist Dr Niseed and Dr Shina, plastic surgeons Dr M Senthil Kumar and Dr Jewel and maxillofacial surgeon Dr George. Abhay is the son of Vijay, a labourer from Thalachira in Pathanamthitta district.