Accra: Ghana's first plastic surgeon, Dr Anthony George Laing, has disclosed that he performed the longest surgery of his career on former Asante Kotoko head coach Karim Zito. The coach suffered a severe injury during an assault by individuals attempting to steal his phone, which left his hand nearly severed.
According to Ghana Web, the incident took place late in 1997 or 1998, when Zito was attacked, and his hand was left hanging by the skin. Dr Laing detailed the complex and urgent nature of the surgery required to save Zito's hand in an interview with Kafui Dey.
Dr Laing explained the intricate procedure, which involved repairing tendons, blood vessels, and nerves to reconstruct the hand with the assistance of a trainee. He noted the surgery lasted between 7 to 8 hours due to the extent of the damage.
He elaborated on the process, stating that the surgery typically starts with the back of the hand to avoid disrupting the delicate structures at the front. The operation involved shortening the bone, freshening wound margins, and joining bones before addressing the back and front of the hand.
Dr Laing emphasized the challenge of the procedure, as he was the primary surgeon with a trainee assistant who was not a plastic surgeon. The experience served as a valuable training opportunity for the assistant under Dr Laing's supervision.