Ospedale Israelitico surgeon uses robotic micro-surgery to repair nearly amputated finger

A 21-year-old Brazilian student living in Rome has successfully recovered after a scooter accident involving a truck trailer left her finger nearly amputated. The injury was severe, with the digit connected to the hand only by a flap of skin and a single intact digital artery.

Dr. Alessandro Piperno, a hand surgeon at Ospedale Israelitico in Rome, performed the reconstructive procedure using specialized robotic platforms, specifically the Symani and Musa 3 systems. During the initial surgery, the surgeon stabilized the fracture, repaired tendons and nerves, and reconstructed the artery using the Symani system for micro-vascular anastomosis.

A second procedure was required in the following months to address adhesions and joint instability. Following over a year of recovery and physiotherapy, the patient has returned to her daily activities. Dr. Piperno noted that while robotic systems assist by reducing physiological tremors and modulating scale for suturing tiny vessels, the success relies on the integration of technology with human surgical expertise.