The finger of Milko Ivanov, who had a work accident in Bulgaria 2 months ago and stuck his left thumb in the press machine, was saved from being amputated in a 4.5-hour operation in Turkey. Stating that he was very happy, Ivanov said, “I could not get results in Sofia and Germany. The doctors said my thumb had to be amputated. However, they saved my finger from being amputated in Turkey. Thank you very much.”
Milko Ivanov (52), the owner of a food company in Bulgaria, had a work accident 2 months ago. During the accident, the upper part, tendons, vessels, and skin of his left thumb, which was crushed under 220 degrees at a hot press for about 3 minutes, died.

Finger Was Saved with Tissue Transplantation

Doctors told Ivanov, who applied to two hospitals in Sofia and then went to Germany after getting no results, that his finger could not be saved and had to be amputated. As time passed since the accident, bacteria very resistant to antibiotics grew in the wound. Ivanov, whose finger became unusable, contacted Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist, His finger, which was recommended to be 'amputated' in his home country and Germany, was saved after antibiotic treatment and tissue transplantation surgery.

Tendons, Vessels, and Skin Died

Giving information about the operation and the patient, Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist said, “In the last days of October, the patient had a work accident. His left thumb was stuck under 220 degrees hot press. The upper part, tendons, vessels, and bone tissue of the finger died due to crushing. He went to Germany after he could not get results in Bulgaria. There, too, when the procedures got longer and the finger got worse, he returned to his country. In Bulgaria, due to the development of an antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the finger and the worsening of the condition of the finger, the decision of amputation was made.”

The Wound Was Cleaned and the Tissue Was Reproduced

Saying that they saved the finger with tissue transplantation, Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist, made the following statements: “When the patient came, we cleaned his wound first. A bacterium resistant to almost all antibiotics had grown in the wound. We eliminated the patient's infection by starting antibiotic therapy. We started to produce new tissues in the area of the wound. One week later, we took a tissue from the patient's arm, along with the veins, transplanted it to the injured area, and saved the finger.”

The Surgery Took 4.5 Hours

Stating that the surgery went smoothly, Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist said, “The operation took 4.5 hours. The dorsal part and tendon of the patient's finger were reconstructed. The patient's finger may not look the same as before, but he will be able to use it as before. In terms of aesthetics, there will be some change in appearance.”

He Will Recover in A Short Time

Stating that the thumb is responsible for almost half of the hand functions, Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist said, “When the thumb is completely lost, we lose almost half of the hand functions. So, our main goal was to protect the thumb. The patient will be able to return to his daily work within 3 weeks.”

Attention to the First 7 Days of Hand Injuries

Emphasizing the need to intervene quickly and accurately in order to avoid loss in case of such injuries, Yeditepe University Hospital Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist added: “A wrong intervention can cause lifelong injury. Even if it is performed late, loss of function may develop even in the absence of tissue loss. This loss is even greater, especially in patients over the age of 40.”

We Are Experienced in Work Accidents

Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist said, “We are experienced as we frequently see work-related hand injuries in our country. We quickly decide what to do with the incoming patients and proceed to the implementation. In countries with fewer such injuries, the number of specialists may not be sufficient. Therefore, there may be a delay in choosing a treatment. Turkey has become one of the most important countries in the region and the world in terms of repair surgery.”