Amrita Hospital Restores Hope With Landmark Scalp Replantation Surgery

Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, has achieved a medical milestone by successfully performing a complex scalp replantation surgery on a 13-year-old girl. The young patient, who suffered a traumatic total scalp avulsion after her hair was caught in a generator fan, has made a remarkable recovery, regaining a sense of normalcy and hope for the future.

The incident occurred in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, when the girl’s long hair became entangled in a generator’s fan at a local fair, causing severe trauma. She was initially stabilized at a nearby hospital, but due to the absence of advanced surgical facilities, her family sought specialized treatment at Amrita Hospital. Recognizing the urgency of the case, Dr. Sachin Gupta, Senior Consultant in Paediatric Neurosurgery, facilitated her referral to Amrita’s world-class reconstructive microsurgery team.

The procedure, lasting over eight hours, was one of the most challenging scalp replantation surgeries performed in India. Dr. Mohit Sharma, Head of the Centre for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at Amrita Hospital, explained, “Total scalp avulsion is a devastating injury, requiring timely intervention and advanced surgical skills. During the surgery, we meticulously reconnected the patient’s blood vessels, nerves, and tissues to restore the scalp. The patient’s recovery has been excellent, and she has returned to school with her appearance almost fully restored.”

Dr. Niti Gulati Batra, Senior Consultant and Assistant Professor in the Department of Anaesthesiology, played a crucial role in ensuring the patient’s hemodynamic stability throughout the procedure—a foundation for the surgery’s success.

Dr. Vasundhra Jain, Senior Consultant in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, emphasized the emotional and social impact of the procedure, stating, “If the replantation had not been successful, the patient would have needed extensive skin grafting to cover her skull, leading to permanent disfigurement. This would have deeply affected her confidence and social interactions, especially at such a formative age.”

Dr. Sanjeev Singh, Medical Director at Amrita Hospital, highlighted the broader significance of the achievement, saying, “This surgery underscores the exceptional infrastructure and medical expertise available at Amrita Hospital. It reflects our commitment to transforming lives through advanced medical care.”

The patient’s parents expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the hospital and its team. Her father said, “We were devastated by the accident and feared for our daughter’s future. The doctors at Amrita Hospital not only saved her life but also gave her a chance to live a normal and happy life. We are forever grateful.”

The success of this surgery stands as a beacon of hope and innovation in India’s medical landscape, reinforcing the importance of timely and expert intervention in saving lives and restoring normalcy.