Ask the Doctor: Amputated finger needs to be operated within 6 hours from accident

Non- invasive Ventilation is a newer way of providing ventilation to patients without a need to perform any invasive procedure. The ventilation is provided to the patient through mask and an air tube connected to the ventilator. It is recommended in various Respiratory diseases, in hospitals as well as long term management of such diseases at home and one such indication is COPD. Patients are benefited from NIV in many ways, primarily through providing pressure support assisting breathing hence, decreases their work of breathing (WOB) and improves quality of life.

Finger amputations can be reattached successfully irrespective of the level of cut. However it is ideal that the amputated part is brought to the hospital within six hours from the accident. But for distal finger amputation few more hours of delay is not a problem. It is also important to properly preserve the amputated part before reaching the hospital. The scope of plastic surgery has increased over the years and it plays a significant role in case of amputations.