However, Dr Boris Brandao – an orthopaedic surgeon at Santa Otilla Foundation Hospital – came up with a far more interesting solution, suggesting surgeons sew Mariotti’s mangled hand inside his stomach to help it heal.
Although never having performed the unheard of surgery, Brandao was hopeful it would work. And whadayaknow – the audacious surgeon was right.
Brandao formed a soft tissue pocket inside Mariotti’s abdomen so the back of the factory worker’s hand would fuse with the flesh from his belly. This also prevented infection and necrosis from growing and helped improve blood supply to the damaged hand, crucial to renovating tissue and muscle.
For six weeks, Mariotti’s hand dwelled in his stomach before it could be detached. For a painful month and a half, he depended on his young son and wife to feed and dress him.
“Every day I reminded myself that I couldn’t take my hand out because it was in a pocket. I was terrified I’d break the stiches and damage my chances of recovery,” he told the Daily Mail.
Three surgeries later and several more to come to reconstruct his fingers, Mariotti remains optimistic.
“Now I need to complete the journey, rebuild my life and return to work to support my family,” the positive Brazilian said.
