Doctors attach severed arm of youth

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

A group of doctors from the Plastic Surgery Unit of the Colombo National Hospital successfully attached the hand of a youth severed from his body, after surgery lasting 10 hours.

Sakith Rajiv, 17, from Panadura had to undergo the operation due to his hand being severed from his body in a sword attack.

He was brought to the National Hospital within two hours of the incident and his hand was attached after 10 hours of surgery. The operation was performed by a group of 12 doctors, including Dr. Amila Siriwardena, under the supervision of Specialist Doctor Sunil Perera of the Plastic Surgery Unit.

Colombo National Hospital Acting Director Dr. Sujatha Senaratne, said such a surgery would cost Rs. 2 million in a private hospital.

A number of such complex operations were performed at the Colombo National Hospital. She said people were fortunate to be able to obtain these services free of charge.