NEW DELHI: A team of medical professionals at a private hospital successfully conducted a rare and intricate scalp replantation procedure on a 13-year-old girl from Aligarh whose scalp was detached during a severe accident.
Although there was a 10-hour gap between the injury and treatment, doctors at Amrita Hospital in Faridabad successfully reattached the scalp by joining blood vessels, nerves, and tissues using sophisticated microvascular surgical methods. The eight-hour operation prevented permanent facial disfigurement and allowed the young patient to return to her normal life and studies.
The incident occurred at a local fair when the girl’s long hair became entangled in a generator’s fan, resulting in complete scalp avulsion. After initial emergency care at a local facility, she was transferred to Amrita Hospital due to the need for specialised microvascular surgical expertise.
Dr Mohit Sharma, who leads the Centre for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, explained that successful scalp replantation requires prompt action and sophisticated microvascular surgical expertise. He detailed how the team meticulously reconnected the blood vessels, nerves, and tissues during the eight-hour procedure, noting the patient’s excellent recovery progress.
Dr Sachin Gupta, Senior Consultant in Paediatric Neurosurgery, highlighted that despite the 10-hour delay, their expert reconstructive surgery team immediately began treatment, overcoming the challenges of delayed intervention.
Dr Vasundhra Jain, Senior Consultant in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, emphasised that without successful replantation, the patient would have required skin grafting to cover exposed skull bones, potentially causing permanent disfigurement with significant emotional and social implications for the young girl.
Speaking to TOI, the patient’s father, Amit Agarwal, an Aligarh-based readymade garments businessman, described his family’s difficult journey. His daughter, studying in class Xth, underwent “three to four procedures”. While her hair started growing again, its texture changed from straight to curly.
