Surgeon saves teens’ hand after near amputation by train
Shrewsbury, N.J. – May 25, 2011 – The Plastic Surgery Center today announced that a rare, complex surgery was performed to repair the critically injured right hand of a 15-year-old boy, after it was nearly severed by the wheels of a train on April 4th. As a result of the procedure, which was performed by Dr. Russell Ashinoff of the Plastic Surgery Center, the teenager from Elberon, NJ, has avoided amputation and is expected to regain function of his hand.
The initial surgery took place at the Center for the Treatment of Paralysis and Reconstructive Nerve Surgery at the Jersey Shore University Medical Center on April 4, 2011. As part of the procedure, Dr. Ashinoff used advanced microsurgical techniques to repair the arteries and restore blood flow to the hand, decompress the damaged nerves, and repair the broken bones and severed tendons. The process required five surgical procedures over two weeks to remove all of the non-viable tissue. Once the wound was controlled, a skin flap from the lower abdomen and skin grafts were used to replace the damaged tissue and cover the exposed arteries, nerves, tendons and bones.
“This young boy experienced an unfortunate and unique trauma to his hand, which could have certainly led to amputation,” said Dr. Ashinoff. “We are very pleased that we could help save his hand. And, given his young age, we are confident that with the addition of physical therapy, he should be able to regain the use of his hand.”
Dr. Ashinoff is a part of the medical team at the Institute for Advanced Reconstruction at the Plastic Surgery Center, which is comprised of a group of surgeons who are highly skilled in nerve transplantation and advanced reconstruction. They perform a number of unique operations to help patients suffering from life-altering medical conditions who are often told there are no treatment options available. Some of these conditions that the Plastic Surgery Center treats include:
- Paralysis resulting from accidents and strokes
- Lymph node transplant for lymphedema
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Paralyzed diaphragm/ventilator-based breathing
- Facial reanimation
- Nerve decompression for migraine headaches
About The Plastic Surgery Center
Located in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, The Plastic Surgery Center’s team of doctors has more than 50 years of combined experience performing facial, skin, and body cosmetic surgery. They offer cutting edge cosmetic and reconstructive procedures and have developed a number of innovative surgical techniques offered at few other facilities in the world. The Plastic Surgery Center doctors are committed to excellence providing exceptional, personalized care in a friendly, comfortable setting using the most advanced equipment available. For further information, please visit www.advancedreconstruction.com, www.facebook.com/ThePlasticSurgeryCenter, www.twitter.com/PlasticSurgNJ.
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Tags: Dr. Ashinoff, hand reconstructon, hand surgery, nerve reconstruction surgery, reconstructive surgery
