Hand surgery

[Felt 35]

Anyone who have had a minor hand surgery in Bangkok at a private hospital the recent years and could estimate an approximate cost?

Thanks

Felt

 

[Sheryl]

Depends on the hosputal and the exact  type of surgery.

 

In partjcular whether instrumentation (rods, screws etc) are required. 

 

[Felt 35]

Thank you for replying. I have a non-displaced fracture of the first metacarpal bone located at the base of the thumb and the hospital /doctor I have used insist on surgery to realign and stabilize the fracture. But I think their pricing is a bit step for my budget (200K ++) and are looking for alternative hospitals.

Felt

 

 

 

[Sheryl]

It sounds like the dioctor may be planning to put in screws, in which case you are not likely to find much lower cost at any prvate hospital.

 

You also need to consider the skill of the doctor, not just the lowest cost. Surgery on the bones of the hand is very delicate and not something I would call "minor". 

 

It is worth getting another opinion though as to whether just splinting it might not be an option, or at least getting a clearer explanation of why surgery is needed if in fact the fracture is non-displaced. 

 

I believe I previously recommended to you 

https://www.phyathai.com/en/doctor/dr-panupan-songcharoen

 

Is that the doctor you have gone to? If it is, I have great confidence in his judgement and Phyathai is already lower in cost than many hospitals, I don't think you can do much better though might shave off a small amount by having him do it at Thonburi Hospital instead, where he also has hours.  The difference will not be huge though and Thonburi Hosp is on the other side of the river.  You could also ask whether it would be possibel to do under a nerve block rather than general anesthesia (which is probably what is planned). That would save some cost but be less than pleasant  (not awful, but some discomfort and lying wide awake in OR with your arm immobilized). Other than this, the only other real option is to use a government hospital, which will entail delays that might not be wise and still likely come out over 100K when cost of titanium screws is figured in.

 

If you have not yet see Prof. Panupan then do so as first step, to see if surgery is really essential. 

 

 

[Felt 35]

Thanks Sheryl. I am gathering options and Dr. Panupan is high on the list.

Felt

[orang37]

I had a minor hand surgery in Bangkok a couple of years ago. At a private hospital, it was around 20,000 to 30,000 THB (about 600-900 USD). Prices might vary depending on the hospital and specifics of the procedure, though. 

[Sheryl]

2 minutes ago, orang37 said:

I had a minor hand surgery in Bangkok a couple of years ago. At a private hospital, it was around 20,000 to 30,000 THB (about 600-900 USD). Prices might vary depending on the hospital and specifics of the procedure, though. 

That sounds like a carpal tunnel release or the like. What OP has been recommended to have is much more complex and likely involves both general anesthesia and placement of titanium screws etc. (In describing this as "minor" he is incorrect).

 

What he first needs to do is get a second opinion from a hand specialist as to whether this is necessary or if more conservative approach (e.g. splinting) might suffice.

[Felt 35]

I'm concerned you're right Sheryl but that said a major surgery seems a bit unreal as I use my hand/thumb daily but there are things like holding the throttle on the motorcycle, wringing out a washcloth, turning off a cork on a bottle and generally with what we do daily where the thumb is used which induces pain. In any case, I'm crossing my fingers for an easier second opinion.

Felt

[Sheryl]

You should NOT be using the hand/finger if there is a fracture. Healing takes at least 6-8 weeks and it needs to be immobilized till then. 

[Felt 35]

Well, I guess I should have been a little more careful, but now I've been around with this thumb / hand for a few months already, so it seems a little unreal that a major hand surgery would be necessary! I am attaching one of the x-ray images taken a few days after the incident.

Felt

[Sheryl]

Xray that hold is of no meaning. You'll need a current Xray.

[Felt 35]

8 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Xray that hold is of no meaning. You'll need a current Xray.

 

Yes, it's probably a good idea, but I've anyway decided to take a "medical autumn holiday" in my home country and expect that the doctor will order both an X-ray and an MRI. I would have liked to not travel and have treatment here but am getting a little tired of finding a specialist hand doctor who initially prioritizes conventional treatment as far as possible. So far two top hospitals in Bangkok says surgery just with looking at the x-ray without even a personal consultation😕

Felt