Care of the Psychotic Self-amputee Undergoing Replantation

The acutely psychotic self-amputee may be brought to the emergency room out of control, refusing treatment. Although these conditions make it difficult for the surgeon to provide restorative surgery, these patients may be quite grateful when resolution of psychosis restores realistic thinking and better judgment. This article describes the treatment of two such patients and provides practical guidelines for general behavioral management. The focal point of the approach is the formation of a surgeon/psychiatrist team that actively and consistently confronts and manages the disturbed behavior from the time the patient arrives in the emergency room until after discharge. Responsibility for deciding to operate when the patient is verbally refusing must be shared by surgeon and psychiatrist. Both surgeon and psychiatrist must be active in the treatment, each contributing his particular expertise to the collaborative effort.