8/18/2002: Guy cuts own finger off
 

http://cellar.org/2002/finger.jpg

Meet New Zealander Ted Matthews. He's 72 and lives on a pension. 20 months ago he had heart surgery, but as a result he has poor circulation. He's suffered from diabetes, renal failure, diverticulitis, and several strokes and more. And he has developed dry gangrene in his hands and toes.

This causes him severe pain. He was scheduled for surgery in September, but a few days ago the hospital sent him a letter saying that his surgery would not take place for six months.

One of his fingers had already rotted off. He couldn't stand the pain any longer. So he decided to take matters into - er - into his own hands, and took a pair of kitchen scissors, and cut a second finger off himself.

The hospital says the six-month letter was a mistake. Matthews says he would not even let his small pet dog to suffer the way he had. "I'd shoot him rather than let him be treated the way I have," said Matthews.

Indeed.

I'm just wondering what the hell kind of medical setup they have in New Zealand that this could possibly happen? Here in the U.S., we at least have the "if you need to be treated, you WILL be treated, regardless of your ability to pay" deal. And in Canada, state health care rules the roost, so you <b>apparently</b> get shit done (I only know this from talking to Canadians, so I'm fairly ignorant of the details on how it works up there). What the hell is going on in New Zealand?

A buddy of mine gave himself a serious gash on his hand one day while we were in high school (1994). Even though his mom had him covered under health insurance, he decided to stitch the wound himself. How the fuck he did it, I don't know...but he actually did a pretty good job, and it healed nicely. :)

While I think our health system is better than the States (I guess it's similar to Canada) - if you need something done, we'll pay for it, but you might have to join a waiting list if it's not life threatening.

If you can afford it, or have health insurance then you can go private straight away and live in a luxurious more hotel than hospital for a wee while.

Our public hospitals are very good, but generally underfunded (we are a small country, we don't have much in the way of funds).

This guy, I think he just slipped through the cracks somehow for such a simple operation he should have been treated for it a long time ago, our Minister of Health is looking into the situation.

FWIW, from what I understand, if I was a tourist in the states I would not want to require a hospital stay, if I was a tourist in NZ I wouldn't worry about it we'll pick up the tab.

I knew a guy that used to use Super Glue to close up deep wounds. He didn't trust doctors (he thought they were "money-hungry bastards"), and didn't think that a needle and thread would do the trick. He'd just hold the wound closed with one hand (or have someone help him), and spread the glue across it. Then all he'd do is hold it until it's mostly set, and there's no muss, no fuss. The glue is non-toxic, and lasts long enough to start the healing process. I thought it was fairly ingenious, especially since you don't have to worry about scars from the needles (assuming that sort of thing worries you).

actually...
 

Don't many doctors use Super Glue or some similar adhesive to close many wounds now?

I seem to remember hearing about this in the news some time ago.

Brian

Yes, "Liquid Stitches."
Also known as Elmers glue.

ewww .. what a picture! :eek2:

Tho it reminds me somewhat of my grandmother... when I was little (must have been 6 or 7) she broke her leg, and she came to stay at our house until she was able to be back up and about enough to take care of herself full-time. One night she got tired of the cast, which she said itched like hell. So in the middle of the night she shuffled into the kitchen and tried to saw it off with a pizza cutter. Unfortunately it was dull & she barely scratched it. This guy obviously had a better success rate!

Cyanoacrylate was developed as a replacement for stitches. Didn't really catch on, though.

Cyanoacrylate glue is currently used by physicians for closing wounds. It's available in my ER.

The problem with it is that it's inappropriate for most wounds. Hairy areas, for example, like the scalp. Or areas with a lot of mobility, like the hand, where repeated movement will make the dried glue pop off before the wound is healed. Or large wounds, where it just isn't enough to keep the wound together. Or wounds where the edges tend to turn in ('invert'), and have to be stitched in a special way to keep the edges out, because intact skin touching intact skin won't heal together.

It's most useful for simple, straight, clean lacerations on the face. Such as are made when toddler goes face first into the coffee table. And for people, like toddlers, who might otherwise have to be sedated to keep them still enough to be sutured.

When it works, it's great stuff. It just isn't right for a lot of wounds.

I knew a guy who was in the Vietnam war and he told me that the medics used Super Glue (aka cyanoacrylate) to close wounds in the battlefield.

Where's Failsafe when you REALLY need him?

Brian