Doctors Save Man’s Hand from Amputation by Sewing it in His Belly (PHOTOS)

Canny surgeons have used a clever technique to save a Brazilian man's hand from being amputated by putting it inside a pocket in his belly.

Doctors decided to bury Carlos Mariotti's left hand inside his abdomen and cover it with a flap of protective skin after the machine production operator suffered a horrific work accident that ripped off all the skin on his hand.

The 42-year-old, who lives in Orleans in the south of Brazil, must now keep his damaged mitt tucked deep in the soft tissue pouch for six weeks.

Orthopaedic and traumatology doctor Boris Brandao, who performed the rare operation, explained: 'Mr Marriott suffered a de-gloving injury which left him with very little skin on the palm and back of his hand, exposing the bones and tendons inside, Daily Mail reports.

'This was a very large and delicate injury and the only place we could fit the whole hand was in the abdomen. 

'Without this procedure, there would be a high risk of infection and the tissue and tendons would rot away.'