When the delicate nerves of your hand or wrist are compressed or severed, the fear of permanent numbness and loss of function is real. These intricate structures are the body’s essential wiring, and restoring them requires a level of precision that goes far beyond standard surgery. This is where microsurgery becomes the absolute standard of care.
When the delicate nerves of your hand or wrist are compressed or severed, the fear of permanent numbness and loss of function is real. These intricate structures are the body’s essential wiring, and restoring them requires a level of precision that goes far beyond standard surgery. This is where microsurgery becomes the absolute standard of care.
Microsurgery is a highly specialized field that allows a surgeon to operate on structures too small to be seen with the naked eye. As a Harvard-trained specialist in Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Microsurgery, Dr. Rod French possesses the expertise to perform these delicate, function-restoring procedures, offering you the chance for a meaningful recovery.
Microsurgery is not a specific procedure, but rather an advanced surgical technique. It involves the use of a high-powered operating microscope, specialized precision instruments, and ultra-fine sutures—often thinner than a human hair—to perform intricate repairs on microscopic structures.
Think of it like the work of a master watchmaker, but on the delicate, living tissues of your body. This technique is absolutely essential when working with the nerves and blood vessels of the hand, as it allows the surgeon to see and handle these structures with the precision required to restore their function.
Microsurgery is the required technique for any procedure involving the direct repair of nerves or small blood vessels. You would be a candidate if you are facing:
Microsurgery is an elite sub-specialty, and access to a true, fellowship-trained microsurgeon in the public system can involve a significant wait. Acute nerve injuries are often very well managed in the public healthcare system. But when dealing with the lasting effects of a prior nerve injury, public wait times may be excessive, and your ability to work and function impaired for prolonged periods.
It is vital to understand that nerves heal very slowly. After a successful microsurgical repair, the nerve fibers must regrow from the point of injury down to their targets in the skin and muscles.
It is a surgical technique that uses a high-powered microscope to repair extremely small and delicate structures like nerves, arteries, and veins that cannot be repaired with the naked eye.
Success depends on many factors, including the type of injury, the patient’s age, the time since the injury, and lifestyle factors like smoking. However, a meticulous microsurgical repair provides the absolute best possible chance for a nerve to regrow and for the patient to recover significant function and sensation.
The procedure itself is performed under anesthesia and is painless. Post-operative pain is carefully managed with medication.
Microsurgery is a safe but highly complex procedure. Risks are rare but can include infection, failure of the nerve to regenerate, and chronic pain. Dr. French will discuss all potential risks with you in detail during your consultation.
