History of the Institute

This institute was started as the department of Plastic and Reconstructive surgery in 1971 by Prof.R.Venkataswamy with 20beds (Phase I). In 1974,Hand Injury Service was started with a separate Hand Injury ward with 20 beds and a dedicated Hand Injury Operation Theatre (HIOT) exclusively for Hand and a separate database for Hand and Plastic Surgery were also established (Phase II).

This is the only Organised Center for Hand and Microsurgery in the country and renders the following specialized Hand Reconstruction and Rehabilitation services in addition to Plastic Surgery.

1. Surgery on acutely injured Hand.

2. Reconstructive Hand surgery - following trauma, burns, infection, congenital, etc.

3. Reconstructive Microsurgery

4. Anesthesia for Hand and Microsurgery

5. Hand therapy

In order to create human resources and broaden the services, Post Graduate Course in MCh plastic surgery was started in 1978 and the department was re designated as “Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Hand Surgery” in 1979. Exclusive Elective operation theatre complex with five tables (two for plastic surgery, one for microsurgery and two for day emergency hand injury) and a 20 bed ward for women and children and a dedicated physiotherapy section were established in 1982. (Phase III) The concept of early primary skin cover and in continuity management under one roof, unique documentation system and morning conference are the special features of this institute.

The department was upgraded as an Institute for Research and Rehabilitation of Hand and Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Hand Surgery with additional staffs and 20 beds in 1987(Phase IV) and recognized as center of excellence in 1998 with 6 bed ICU and later in 2003 a new building complex with 20 more beds were commissioned (Phase V)

In order to develop human resources and expand the services on this very specialized Hand and Microsurgical services, this Institute is divided into Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the Institute for Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery in 2008. (Phase VI), thus committed to the society to establish a new post graduate higher specialty course in M Ch Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery and making the service more accountable and opened a new chapter in the management of a very important Regional Anatomical Organ – The Hand.

This institute has been designated as the Nodal Training Center for Hand and Microsurgery and a statewide Training Program for medical officers and paramedical staffs at all levels of healthcare delivery system has been initiated by the Government of TamilNadu with an announcement in the last Assembly Session ,April,2008.