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 Do's and Don't's - Transporting Amputated Parts
 

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fig. 2

fig. 3
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fig. 5 
It is very important to correctly transport amputated part to the Hospital. In  fact, the degree of success in putting together amputated parts depends on following factors - 
-the nature of the injury 
-whether it is a clean cut wound or a crushed one,
-the time elapsed since injury and 
- the way the part and the patient are brought to the hospital.

How to transport amputated parts?

1. Place the amputated part in a clean plastic bag and tightly seal it with a knot. (fig. 1)

2. Place the bag in a container, which could be an ice box or a flask.with 
    ice around it. (fig. 2)
3. If the part is very big like the whole of the arm, put the plastic bag in a 
    bucket  and place ice around it.  The ice must be packed well.
    Attention 

Do not at any stage let the ice or any solution come in direct contact with the amputated part.(fig. 3, fig.4 and fig. 6)

How soon should you bring amputated parts?

As soon as possible. Parts without muscle tissue like fingers can be rejoined upto 6 hours. Parts will muscle tissue like the forearm have to be rejoined within 2 hours. If the part is well preserved as mentioned earlier, the time limit is extended a little,as is the success of the operation. 

How to transport the patient ?
The cut end must be securely bandaged.  Most of the time the bleeding will be stopped by compression dressings within 5 minutes.  If there is no other injury and the patient appears to be stable you can shift the patient immediately to Ganga Hospital(or the nearest replantation centre).   If there are associated injuries, it might be better to go to the nearest doctor for assessment and first aid.  Provided there are no life threatening injuries patient could immediately be shifted to the replantation centre. 
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