The Department of Hand Surgery is the Superspeciality offshoot of the Unit of Hand and Microsurgery. The unit of Hand surgery came into existence in 1992 as a separate subspecialty in the Department of Orthopaedics under the leadership of Prof. Bhaskarananda Kumar. Professor Varghese Chacko established the Department of Orthopaedics in 1967. 

Prof. Bhaskarananda Kumar headed the unit of Hand and Microsurgery till his retirement in April' 2013. During his tenure, he developed the unit and created an able and effective team that had made significant contributions in Hand Surgery, and the unit earned laurels in the country and abroad. He went on to become the president of the Indian Society for Surgery of the Hand in 2004. 

The unit was taken over by Prof. Anil K Bhat in 2013, who continues the legacy and vision of senior teachers. Since April 2021, the unit has been elevated to a new Superspeciality department of Hand Surgery headed by Dr Anil K. Bhat, assisted by Dr Ashwath Acharya and Dr Mithun Pai, who are fellowship-trained Hand Surgeons. 

Importance of Hand Surgery in the current scenario. 

Hand Surgery is the field of surgery that deals with traumatic, congenital, inflammatory, neoplastic, or degenerative problems of the Hand and wrist. The Hand is a key organ of prehension and sensibility, and hence, any of its disorders should receive early and special attention. In this regard, hand surgeons are involved with the complex reconstruction of the upper extremity, which includes bone, joint, nerve, muscle or vessels or a gamut of its combinations. Given their special expertise, they also deal with nerve injuries of the lower limb. This field requires significant time for training and acquiring meticulous skills and experience at specialized medical centres. Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, is one of the very few centres in India which offers such a facility for Hand Surgery education.  

The scope of Hand Surgery  

Hand Surgery offers a vast field of challenges requiring diverse and thought-provoking skills for conservative, surgical and rehabilitation solutions for upper extremity pathology.

The hand surgeon masters and applies various techniques on the complex and delicate anatomy of the Hand and wrist, derived from principles based on orthopaedics, plastic surgery and microsurgery. In order to achieve early satisfactory results, they co-ordinate closely with medical specialities, radiologists, specialized physiotherapists and occupational therapists for rehabilitation, orthotics and prosthetics. The treatment of a disease of the Hand or upper limb in the early stage by a trained hand surgeon offers any patient the best prospects of early recovery, reducing costs concerning disability and time away from profession and society. This becomes extremely important as 10-30 % of patients presenting to trauma centres have injuries related to Hand and wrist.

The Department of Hand Surgery at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, provides excellent patient care and outstanding education in Hand and upper limb disorders. The department is committed to advancing knowledge related to hand disorders' management at the National and International levels. We focus on patient care in problems of the Hand, which varies from common day to day injuries to major reconstruction of skin, tendons, muscles, bones, nerves, vessels for trauma, congenital disabilities and tumours affecting the Hand. We have, in addition, rehabilitation support by full-fledged physiotherapy and occupational therapy services. The artificial limb centre with an inbuilt workshop and manufacturing facility provides comprehensive orthotic and prosthetic appliances.

Besides meeting the health demands of the region comprising Coastal Karnataka, Kerala and Goa, the Kasturba hospital health care network extends to the areas of interior Karnataka, primarily through its satellite hospitals as well as unique health care centres. Kasturba Hospital is recognized for treatment by the Central and State Government, defence services and public sector companies. 

The department of Hand Surgery is an integral part of the Trauma Triage. A team of residents from the department are readily available at the trauma centre for all hand injury-related emergencies.

• One of the very active departments with a well-structured teaching programme 

• Unique combination of both Orthopedics and Plastic Surgery procedures in Hand and upper extremity 

• Department comprises well-known teachers who regularly attend and teach at national and international courses and workshops. The department has regularly published in high impact journals in both national and international journals every year.

• The department has state-of-the-art instruments, implants and facilities. 

• Access to the world-class university health sciences library with running subscriptions of all important international, national journals and online resources is 

• Scope for participation and presentation of papers in national and international meetings. Consultants in the department excel as faculty for national and international conferences.
• Residents have excelled in the state and national conferences, winning quizzes, Best paper and poster awards.

• Dedicated artificial limb Centre for orthosis and prosthesis designed and manufacturing

• 3 D printing Centre for new age prosthetics and orthotics.

• Department skill lab 

• Dedicated and qualified support team of nurses, technicians and paramedics make the department's working smooth.

Specializations

• All varieties of Congenital anomalies of the upper limb, including limb lengthening and has one of the highest numbers of Radial longitudinal deficiencies treated in India

• Wrist disorders including wrist arthroscopy, complex ligament reconstruction and sports injuries of upper limb

• Hand trauma including basic and complex fractures, tendon and nerve injuries, microsurgical procedures like replantation and flaps

• Brachial plexus injuries, nerve and tendon reconstruction procedures

• Soft tissue pathologies of Hand including tumours, tendinopathies and compression neuropathies

• Complex elbow reconstruction and trauma management

• Clinical and Basic science research 

A professional coming out of the department can have 

• A high value at both the National and International levels for future faculty positions and fellowships.  

• A strong alumni network helps in obtaining fellowship programmes.

• Advanced training during residency aids in increased skills and knowledge & exposure to various dimensions of problems seen in this field

https://manipal.edu/mu/academics/phd.html

OPD DAYS: Monday / Wednesday / Friday

SPECIALTY CLINICS:

Congenital Hand Clinics – Wednesday

Brachial plexus Clinic – Friday

INFRASTRUCTURE (Shared with Orthopaedics Department):

• Four Image Intensifiers

• Two Operating Microscopes

• Five Operating Theatres

• Laminar Air Flow in 2 theatres

• Bone Banking for Auto and Allografts

• Arthroscopy & Endoscopic systems

OPERATION THEATRES:

The department shares 5 Operating Rooms with the Orthopaedic department every day, 6 days a week. We operate for elective surgery on three days a week and are available for all types of hand injuries and hand pathologies

All upper limb pathologies of Hand, wrist and elbow of traumatic, congenital, infective, inflammatory, neoplastic, degenerative and metabolic etiology are treated at the department of Hand surgery in all age groups of patients 

Some specialized services offered are: 

SUPPORT SERVICES

The Artificial Limb Center and 3D printing centre

The center offers comprehensive Orthotic and Prosthetic Services. High-quality artificial limbs or prosthetic devices have transformed many disabled people’s lives.

Physiotherapy

The Physiotherapy outpatient department is equipped with necessary electro therapeutic

equipments such as

• Electrical stimulator / TENS / SWD

• LASER / UVR

• Ultrasound

• Whirlpool

• Wax bath / Hot packs / Cold packs

A fully-equipped fitness center is established for weight reduction and general health in normal and

diseased.

Occupational Therapy

The Centre deals with all kinds of pre and postoperative Hand trauma and other upper limb pathological conditions with functional limitations. The services include

•Instrumentation-Splinting, Assistive and Positioning devices

·        Functional evaluation for research and disability assessment with standard scientific tools

• Wheelchair training and Modification

• Work Hardening and Retraining

• Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Training

• Biofeedback and functional electrical stimulation Ergonomics

• House and Work Site Evaluation and Modification

Grants:

Top five PUBLICATIONS in the last two years:

1.     Anil K Bhat, Ashwath M Acharya, Prajwal P Mane, Lakshmikanth HK. Correlation of flexor pollicis longus tendon status by ultrasonography with plate position on radiographs following volar plate fixation of distal radius fractures with pronator quadratus repair.  Indian Journal of Orthopaedics. (doi.org/10.1007/s43465-021-00369-7). Feb.2021.

2.     Bhat AK, Narayanakurup JK, Acharya AM, Kumar B. Outcomes of radialization for radial longitudinal deficiency: 20 limbs with minimum 5-year follow-up. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2019;44(3):304-309. doi:10.1177/1753193418788935.

3.     Nayak A, D'Souza A, Bhat AK, Rao A, Acharya AM. Role of Early Referral and Surgical Intervention in Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy: Awareness Among Obstetricians and Pediatricians in a Teaching Hospital. Int Q Community Health Educ. 2019 Oct 25:272684X19883523.

4.     Bhat AK, Acharya AM, Mishra M. Correlation of HISS and Strickland Score with the Michigan Hand Outcome Questionnaire in hand injuries. Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma, 2020-07-01, Volume 11, Issue 4, Pages 620-625.

5.     AM Acharya, N Ravikiran, KN Jayakrishnan, Anil K Bhat. The role of pedicled abdominal flaps in hand and forearm composite tissue injuries: Results of technical refinements for safe harvest Journal of Orthopaedics; April 2019 (16) 369–

Click here for the rest of the publications

https://eprints.manipal.edu/view/subjects/ORTH.html

1.     Centre for Congenital hand differences, “Hastha” established in 2016 with Dr Anil K. Bhat as the co-ordinator. 

2.     First 3D printing centre in a medical college under the Unit of Hand surgery established in 2017

3.     First registry for Congenital hand differences established through “Centre for Congenital hand differences, Hastha”

4.     Speciality clinic for Congenital hand differences 

5.     The department has developed an assistive device, an automated glove for hand rehabilitation in collaboration with Department of Biomedical engineering and BIRAC

6.     3D face shields were printed in the 3D printing centre for front line workers and police personnel during Covid pandemic

Academic Awards

Prizes won in the last five years by the Department of Hand Surgery (formerly the Unit of Hand and Microsurgery, Department of Orthopaedics) under the guidance of Dr Anil K. Bhat and Dr Ashwath Acharya 

2016

1.     Best Scientific Poster for Dr. Jayakrishnan K.N., Senior Resident at Annual Conference of Indian Society for Surgery of the Hand, ISSHCON 2016, at Ranchi from September 15-17, 2016.

2.     Best Paper award for Dr. Jayakrishnan K.N., Senior Resident, at Annual Conference of Indian Society for Surgery of the Hand, ISSHCON 2016, at Ranchi from September 15-17, 2016.

3.     Second Best poster award for Dr. Naufal Nahas., Junior Resident, at Annual Conference of Indian Society for Surgery of the Hand, ISSHCON 2016, at Ranchi from September 15-17, 2016.  

4.     Best paper award for Dr. Prajwal P. Mane, Junior Resident, 40th Annual Conference of the Karnataka Orthopaedic Association at Bangalore from 5th to 7th February 2016.

2017  

1.     Best Poster award for Dr. Deepthi Paraj, Junior Resident in Orthopaedics, at 41^st Annual Conference of Karnataka Orthopaedic Association at Hubballi. from 3^rd to 5^th February 2017.

2.     Dr. Naufal Nahas: Best Thesis award on “Radialisation with Ulnar Cuff Osteotomy for Radial Longitudinal Deficiency-Short term results of a Retro-Prospective study” at 41^st Annual Conference of Karnataka Orthopaedic Association at Hubballi from 3^rd to 5^th February 2017.

3.     Dr. Ashwath Acharya gets the second best paper award at the at 41st Annual Conference of Karnataka Orthopaedic Association at Hubballi. from 3rd to 5th February 2017

2018

1.     Dr. Anil K. Bhat, Prof. & Head, Orthopaedics has won the Best Innovation prize for his innovation on “Self-driven Hand Rehabilitation Device for Neuromuscular Deficiency Patients” at 42^nd Annual Conference of the Indian Society for Surgery of the Hand –(ISSH) ISSHCON 2018, held at Coimbatore from 5^th - 7^th Oct 2018.

2.     Dr. Fizad N.R, 3^rd year postgraduate has won the Best Poster award for his poster at 42^nd Annual Conference of the Indian Society for Surgery of the Hand – (ISSH) ISSHCON 2018, held at Coimbatore from 5^th - 7^th Oct 2018.

3.     Dr. Fizad N.R, 3^rd year postgraduate has won the Best Paper at 42^nd Annual Conference of the Indian Society for Surgery of the Hand – (ISSH) ISSHCON 2018, held at Coimbatore from 5^th Oct - 7^th Oct 2018.

2019

1.       Dr. Anil K. Bhat, Prof. of Orthopaedics and Assoc. Dean, KMC won the ‘A.A. John Best Consultant Gold Medal Award’ at OASISCON 2019 held at Puducherry from 23^rd to 25^th August 2019.

2.       Dr. Siddarth Kamath, Senior Resident, Orthopaedics has won the best Case Report award at 43^rd Annual Conference of Karnataka Orthopaedic Association held at Bangalore from 1.2.2019 to 3.2.2019.

3.       Dr. Dattatreya Sitaram, Junior Resident, Orthopaedics has won the 2^nd place in Best Paper category at 43^rd Annual Conference of Karnataka Orthopaedic Association held at Bangalore from 1.2.2019 to 3.2.2019.

4.       Dr. Dattatreya Sitaram, 3^rd year PG of Orthopaedics has won the best paper award (PG Medal paper) at OASISCON 2019 held at Pondicherry from 23^rd to 25^th August 2019

5.       Dr. Vamsikrishna Munduluru has won the best paper award at 43rd Annual Conference of the Indian Society for Surgery of the Hand held at ISSHCON Puri, Odisha from 13.9.2019 to 15.9.2019

6.       Dr. Mukund Agrawal has won the best poster award for his poster at 43rd Annual Conference of the Indian Society for Surgery of the Hand held at ISSHCON Puri, Odisha from 13.9.2019 to 15.9.2019

2020

1.     Dr. Raman Jindal, 3^rd year postgraduate won the best paper award at 44^th Annual KOACON 2020 held at VIMS, Bellari from 31.1.2020 to 2.2.2020

2.     Dr. Venkat Vinay Atluri, Final year PG won the Gold medal award at OASISCON 2020 held at Hyderabad on 27.11.2020.

2021

1.     Dr Arvind Umarani, final year junior resident, won gold medal and 1^st best paper award at 45^th Annual KOACON 2021 held at Hassan from 30.7.2021-31.7.2021

2.     Dr Amanpreet Singh, Final year junior resident, won 2^nd best paper at 45^th Annual KOACON 2021 held at Hassan from 30.7.2021-31.7.2021

3.     Dr. Arvind Umarani, Junior resident, won third best poster at 45th Annual KOACON 2021 held at Hassan 30.7.2021-31.7.2021

4.     Dr Mithun Pai G, Assistant Professor won 2^nd best paper award for his paper at ISSHCON  2021 held at Chennai 6.8.2021-7.8.2021

5.     Dr. Venkat Vinay Atluri 2018 batch PG won 3^rd best paper award at ISSHCON  2021 held at Chennai 6.8.2021-7.8.2021

Textbook

·        Dr. Anil K. Bhat, Associate. Dean, KMC, Manipal: Editor and Author, along with other contributors published a book for postgraduates in Orthopaedics: ‘Clinical Assessment & Examination Simulation in Orthopaedics’ publishers:  CBS Publishers & Distributors ISBN-13: 978-9389261691 in 2020.

Click here to view

Address:

Google map  :  https://goo.gl/maps/e3dhRNxwR3YUACfy8

Email              : handsurgery.kmc@manipal.edu

Phone: OPD / Secretary: +91 820 2923916