PGIMER takes another commendable initiative as Director PGIMER launches Replantation Helpline (7087007677) on National Plastic Surgery Day
DGP Punjab extends support for speedy transportation to facilitate replantation of amputated body parts
Chandigarh : 15 July : Adding to its history of creating benchmarks, PGIMER took another commendable step forward with the launch of ‘Replantation Helpline (7087007677)’, the first of its kinds, marking the observance of National Plastic Surgery Day at an impressive event organised at PGIMER today.
Prof. Jagat Ram, Director PGIMER graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and formally launched the ‘Replantation Helpline (7087007677)’. Mr. Dinkar Gupta, DGP Punjab, present as Guest of Honour, joined the event virtually through weblink.
Other dignitaries marking their personal presence included Mr. Kumar Gaurav Dhawan, Deputy Director Administration, Prof. R.K. Sharma, Head, Deptt. of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Sunil Gaba, Addl. Prof. and other faculty members, residents, nursing officers from the Deptt. of Plastic Surgery. and technical staff associated with the initiative.
Commending the initiative, Prof. Jagat Ram, Director PGIMER stated, “ The basic intent of Replantation Helpline is to help streamline the flow of patients with such injuries so that the part can be stored properly and the patient can be provided the care at the earliest without losing precious time.”
Mr. Dinkar Gupta, DGP Punjab, joining the event virtually, expressed his gratitude to the Deptt. of Plastic Surgery for successfully replanting the chopped hand of the ASI Harjit Singh of Panjab Police last year as he said, “One of the key enablers in case of successful replantation of chapped hand of ASI Harjeet Singh was the timely reporting at PGIMER. In view of the same, my department will extend all support for speedy transportation of amputated body parts to further facilitate the doctors and the patients.”
ASI Harjeet Singh, who was physically present on the occasion, was extremely emotional as he expressed his sentiments, “ There are no words to thank PGIMER for giving me back my normal life. It is because of the PGIMER team that I am to my normal self with full return of function to his amputated part.”
Prof. R.K.Sharma, Head, Deptt. of Plastic Surgery, while enumerating the accomplishments of the Department, said,” The department has also been in the forefront of replantation services and have successfully replanted amputated hands, forearms, thumbs, fingers, scalp, penis-scrotum etc in the last 30 years.”
Tracing the journey, Prof. Sharma further added, “The department of Plastic Surgery, which was established at PGI in 1966, has been in the forefront of providing quality care to the people and has been actively managing the correction of congenital and acquired deformities and defects. It has also been playing an important role in reconstructing the missing parts that can happen after trauma or cancer surgery. The burns unit of the department has been treating about 300 -400 patients every year. The department also manages the trauma to the limbs and maxillofacial region, neuro-vascular injuries, maxillofacial trauma, and major skin losses.”
“The department has been providing comprehensive management to the patients of cleft lip and palate from infancy to adulthood under one roof. The complex craniofacial deformities such as mis-shaped skulls and faces are also being successfully treated through complex state of the art operations by the department”, stated Prof. Sharma
Dr. Sunil Gaba, Addl Prof., Deptt. of Plastic Surgery, PGIMER detailed about the myths and misconceptions pertaining to Plastic Surgery as he said, “The Plastic Surgery has generally been misconceived by people as something frivolous and elitist indulgence that is catering to the rich and famous only. Nothing can be farther from the truth. The word ‘plastic surgery’ is derived from the Latin word “plastikos” that means to mold and “recreate”. The cosmetic surgery is a very minor though important aspect of this vast specialty.”
Dr. Gaba further shared, “The National Plastic Surgery Day is being celebrated every year on July 15th since 2011. Many people believe this to be the birthday of the sage surgeon Sushruta, who has been often referred to as the father of Indian Plastic Surgery. He had described many plastic surgery operations, most notable being the reconstruction of the missing nose. It is believed that he was practicing surgery around 700 BC around Varanasi region. “
