Institute Makes History Reattaching Severed Hands After 20 Hours

Doctors at the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute have made medical history by successfully reattaching both hands of college student Tasfin Ferdous, which had been severed at the palms during an attack by assailants wielding sharp weapons. The hands, recovered approximately 20 hours after the incident, were reattached in what specialists described as an unprecedented milestone in the country’s medical field.

On 9 November, Tasfin was returning home after playing in Tongi, Gazipur, when he was attacked and both hands were severed. He was first taken to Tongi Hospital for emergency treatment before being referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. It took over six hours for him to reach the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute, by which time he had lost a substantial amount of blood and was in critical condition. The window for limb reimplantation had already passed, yet the surgical team led by Assistant Professor Dr Shariful Islam Sharif worked tirelessly and managed to restore both hands 20 hours and 30 minutes after the injury.

The details were presented on Wednesday (3 December) at a press conference held in the institute’s classroom. Specialists declared the success of the operation—conducted after such an extended period—as a rare achievement in global medical science and the first of its kind in Bangladesh.

Speaking about the experience, Tasfin said he never imagined he would regain the use of his completely severed hands. He expressed gratitude, stating that the doctors’ relentless efforts and God’s will had enabled his hands to regain mobility. He said he now hopes for a full recovery.

Tasfin’s mother, Afroza Sumi, explained that the severed hands could not initially be located. They were discovered only after he was placed in an ambulance being taken to Dhaka. She said she feared her son would not survive, and the fact that his hands are functioning again is a blessing from God and a result of the doctors’ dedication. She added that she never expected such compassionate care.

Institute Director Professor Dr Mohammad Nasir Uddin said that although many such reimplantations are performed regularly, most people are unaware and arrive long after the recommended time window. He noted that timely arrival enables doctors to successfully treat most cases. He also emphasised that the institute provides emergency services 24 hours a day.

The doctors urged that in cases of limb separation, individuals should bring the patient immediately to the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute without wasting time.

Khaborwala/SS