Hand surgery update held at Jipmer

Orthopedic surgeons, plastic surgeons, hand surgeons, postgraduate trainees, and senior residents from across the country attended a one-day academic update on hand surgery hosted recently by Jipmer’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery.

The comprehensive programme, ‘JIPMER Hand Course – Everything About Hand’, was conceptualised to provide a structured, practical, and evidence-based approach to common as well as complex hand conditions, with an emphasis on clinical decision-making and surgical technique, a press note said. Hand surgery, experts noted, is a highly specialised field that demands an in-depth understanding of anatomy, biomechanics, trauma management, and reconstructive principles.

The programme featured expert-led interactive lectures, algorithm-based discussions on hand trauma, high-definition surgical video demonstrations, and a hands-on workshop on tendon repair techniques, making it an academically rich and practically oriented learning experience.

The course was led by a panel of eminent faculty members with extensive experience in hand, orthopedic, and plastic surgery, representing leading institutions across the country.

The sessions were guided by a host of plastic surgery and orthopaedic surgery experts including Anil Mathew, Professor and Head, Department of Hand Surgery, Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, G. Karthikeyan (Chennai), Jayakumar, Institute of Rehabilitation, Research and Handicapped (IRRH & DPH), Stanley Medical College, J. Terrence Jose Jerome, Sabari Girish Ambat, specialist in Hand, Microvascular, from Apollo Firstmed Hospital, Chennai, A. Palanivel, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Devi Prasad Mohapatra, Dinesh Kumar and Padmalakshmi Bharathi Mohan, (Plastic Surgery Jipmer), Suresh Gandhi (Orthopaedic Surgery Jipmer).

The academic sessions covered an extensive range of topics including congenital hand anomalies such as syndactyly, polydactyly, radial club hand, and hypoplastic thumb. Sessions on hand infections addressed conditions such as felon, paronychia, flexor tenosynovitis, and deep palmar space infections.

Common hand conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, De Quervain’s disease, trigger finger, and Dupuytren’s contracture were discussed using clear, algorithm-based treatment pathways. Trauma-related discussions included fingertip injuries, flexor and extensor tendon injuries, zone-specific tendon management, nerve injuries, and replantation techniques. Fracture management sessions focused on mallet finger, phalangeal fractures, Bennett and Rolando fractures, metacarpal neck fractures, scaphoid fractures, carpal instabilities, and Kienböck’s disease.

The program included high-quality surgical video demonstrations of commonly performed hand procedures, enabling participants to understand operative steps and surgical nuances.

G. Balakrishnan, senior plastic surgeon, was felicitated in recognition of his long-standing contributions to hand surgery, surgical education, and mentorship.

Another highlight was the hands-on workshop on tendon repair techniques, where participants received supervised training in core tendon suturing methods, reinforcing principles essential for optimal functional outcomes.

Published – February 22, 2026 11:48 pm IST