SPANISH 'super-surgeon' Dr Pedro Cavadas has reattached a North American Naval officer's severed hand after the 21-year-old suffered a submarine accident off the coast of Cartagena (Murcia).
Following the 'catastrophic' crash 70 miles offshore in the USA's Sixth Fleet on March 27, it would take 10 hours before the victim got to Manises Hospital, close to Valencia airport, as he had to be taken back to dry land by lifeboat and then flown by helicopter, arriving at 04.30 on March 28.
This delay would make the operation far more complex as blood flow to the hand was lost.
But Dr Cavadas worked through the early hours of the morning and the soldier was out of theatre by 09.30.
He had to create an artificial flow of blood to the injured man's hand before attempting to reattach it, but was quietly confident of success given that it had been torn off at the wrist, meaning it was a clean break.
Micro-surgery and reconstructive surgery, as well as a skin graft from the patient's right lower leg, were all involved in the five-hour operation.
“It's great operating on soldiers, because they're happy with everything you do, have a high pain threshold and nothing bothers them,” said a cheerful Dr Cavadas.
“I never mind operating on patients who are so cooperative and easy to handle.”
Although the surgery was now over two months ago, it is only now that details have been revealed in the media as the soldier needed time to ensure it would be a success.
After a fortnight in Manises, the Naval officer was transferred to a military hospital in his native USA on April 10, where he is said to be recovering well.
Dr Cavadas says he is 'confident' that his patient will enjoy 'almost normal' use of his hand once it is healed.
As he was discharged from Manises, the patient posed with Dr Cavadas in the above photograph and commander of the US Naval Forces in Europe, Admiral James Foggo, gave certificates to Cavadas' surgery team in thanks, presented Cavadas himself with a medal, and gave him a book of the history of the régime.
Admiral Foggo praised the 'heroic' actions of Dr Cavadas and his team and the 'exceptional' and 'compassionate' care the injured officer received, which he said was a clear sign of the 'excellent relationship between the USA and Spain' as well as the 'great merit' of the surgical team.
Foggo reveals that Cavadas' team received the call at 04.30 that they needed to scrub up and get to theatre, and within 20 minutes, 'arrived at the hospital with a smile' to perform the 'miracle operation'.
“He couldn't have had a better medical team at his service,” Admiral Foggo said, adding that he was 'amazed' that the officer would soon be able to use his hand again almost as well as before the accident.
Dr Cavadas is passionate about reattaching limbs and transplanting new ones, and ever since he first transplanted a hand and then reimplanted a severed foot, has been creating new challenges for himself.
Legs torn off above the knee, arms ripped off above the elbow, faces, and donor limbs for patients who have been missing one for some time are all operations he has carried out successfully.
Dr Cavadas also founded and finances hospitals in the third world with the money he earns when operating in the private sector.
