Hand sewn back on

2004-02-29 13:24

Melbourne - Surgeons have re-attached a young man's hand that was severed in a brawl and found by police after he arrived at a hospital without it.

Doctors at St Vincent's hospital in Melbourne said the 21-year-old man had a good chance of recovery because he got to hospital soon after the injury and the hand was severed in a clean cut, making it easier to re-attach.

Doctor Tony Berger said the complex eight-hour microsurgical operation involved reattaching the bones, tendons, nerves and blood vessels in the hand and the wrist.

"There is some concern over the next few days that the blood vessels may clot off and for that reason he is resting in hospital with anti-coagulant drugs," he said.

Police said they had received reports of a brawl involving about 40 people in public gardens at East Melbourne. When they were told of the man's injuries, a search was launched and the hand quickly found.

Police were interviewing witnesses and called for anyone with information about the brawl to come forward. No arrests had been made.

- SAPA