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Successful hand replantation in a seafarer after long-distance helicopter evacuation. A case report
Javier Fernandez-Palacios1, Orlando Garcia Duque, Ruben Alvarado Benitez
1Servicio de Cirugía Plástica, Hospital Dr. Negrín, Barranco de la Ballena s/n 35010 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain. jferpalm@yahoo.es
Abstract:
After sustaining a clean-cut mid-carpal hand amputation on a tanker 120 miles north of Lanzarote, a 28- -year-old seafarer was evacuated by helicopter to a microsurgical unit in Gran Canaria. The amputated hand was cooled according to precise instructions. The 6-hour flight time included two refuelling stops and transfer time. The hand had been revascularized thirteen hours after the accident and was still well circulated at repatriation 3 weeks later.
