A ‘MIRACLE’ patient who’s life was saved at Manchester’s Wythenshawe Hospital was among the honoured guests at the launch of a new book celebrating the work of hand surgeons and their inspirational patients.

Paul Kelly cheated death when he fell into an industrial mixer and suffered horrific injuries to both his hands and legs, losing his left hand around the wrist, the fingers and thumb from his right hand and left leg below the knee.

The first operation to save and rebuild his life lasted over 22 hours, reattaching his left hand, the fingers from his right hand and using the big toe from the left leg to construct a thumb for his right hand. All this was achieved at Wythenshawe Hospital.

Now he is working to raise awareness about the surgical skill and therapy that transformed his life.

“I had 5 operations during the following 8 months and underwent physiotherapy and occupational therapy for over 2 years.

“It might seem small to a member of staff because they are just doing their job. But for me, for the individual, just doing their job impacts dramatically on my life. I am loving life. I’m over the moon and want to educate people about the great skills we have in hand surgery”.