You will find a list of the most frequently asked questions as follows. We hope you can find an answer to your question.

In case of emergency, can I have treatment during the night or at weekends?
I have just injured myself. What should I do ?
What should I do in case of injury ?
What should I do in case of burns ?
What should I do in case of complete amputation ?
What should I do in case of partial amputation ?
Can I get some advice on line ?
Can I have an X-ray made at the FIHS ?
Which are the most common pathologies ?
I do not live in the Paris Area. Where can I have an appointment or a surgical operation ?
Will I get a refund for my transport expenses ?
My operation did not take place at the French Institute for Hand Surgery, but I would like to have my follow-up there. How should I do it ?
I would like to have my surgical intervention at the Institute, but I do not live in the Paris Area. Despite this, should I visit an anaesthetist before the operation ?
My clinical doctor believes I suffer from Carpal Tunnel syndrome, but I have not had an electromyography made prior to the appointment. Does this pose any inconvenience ?
Could my postoperative rehabilitation take place at the French Institute for Hand Surgery ?
How should I manage my post op care ?
What exactly is ambulatory surgery ?
What sort of documentation should I submit in order to arrange an appointment, especially if I would like to schedule a surgical operation??
What time should I arrive for my surgical operation ?
I forgot the appointment date with my surgeon. What should I do ?
Which are the most important preoperative instructions ?
Which are the most important post operative instructions ?


In case of emergency, can I have treatment during the night or on weekends?

The French Institute for Hand Surgery remains open during the week; Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. In case of emergency, from 8 p.m. on , or during holidays, you may go to the Victor Hugo Clinic. This Health Centre, guarantees hospitalisation where surgeons from the French Institute for Hand Surgery will be available all year round on surgical duty, exclusively for their specialisation.

    Clinique Chirurgicale Victor Hugo (Victor Hugo Surgical Clinic)
    Dôme 5 bis St.
    75116 Paris Tel : 01.53.65.53.65
    www.clinique-victorhugo.fr

After 8 p.m. , and during holidays. Victor Hugo Clinic receives injured patients who need hospitalisation. The surgeon on duty is available as well.

I have just injured myself. What should I do ?

Depending upon the type and significance of your injury (cut, injury, amputation), you will be given an appointment. This way, the team will be able to organise your reception better than if you come to the institute without previous notice. If you live far from our centre, it is advisable to contact a centre at FESUM (see list FESUM), which gathers various centres.
In all cases of injury, the use of cotton, tourniquet, mercurochrome, tabacco, coffee or alcohol must be avoided.


What should I do in case of injury ?

First, you should rinse the injury with running water. Then, you should soap both hands with liquid soap. Put a bandage (in case you do not have any, use a clean towel) and keep your hand elevated.

What should I do in case of burn ?

In case of Chemical or Thermal burn, put the injured limb under running water for 15 minutes.

What should I do in case of complete amputation ?

DO NOT PLACE THE SECTIONED FRAGMENTS IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH ICE

Follow these indications carefully :

1 Gather all the sectioned fragments in a water proof container, and put them in a sealed plastic bag.
2 Close the bag, and place it in a box with non synthetic ice. The closed bag should remain on the iced water just like a float.
3 Cover the amputated extremity with a compression bandage. Elevate the hand. Do not apply a tourniquet.
4 Do not get rid of any of the fragments which seem to be destroyed. The surgeon may utilise some components (nerves, bones, tendons) which are intact ; this is the "finger-bank principle".

What should I do in case of partial amputation ?

Cover the injured part with a compression bandage.
Around the hand, place a sealed plastic bag with water and ice.
Immobilise the hand on a splint.


Can I get some advice on line ?

Under no circumstances. This is not a site for medical consultation. You will find information on the French Institute for Hand Surgery , its activities as well as some advice. However, the system does not allow to make direct contact with a surgeon.
Although this practise is becoming popular in the United States, it is not advisable to consult on the internet, both at the deotologic and medical level. Usually, the signs and symptoms described by the patients are insufficient. Therefore, it is necessary to have a physical exam as well as other complementary exams made in order to establish a diagnosis and consider the best treatment for the patient.

Can I have an X- ray taken at the FIHS ?

Radiology at the French Institute for Hand Surgery will be carried out upon the request of a surgeon prior to an appointment.

Can I have a scanner or MRI performed at the FIHS ?

Both the Institute, and the Victor Hugo Clinic, cannot make either a scanner or MRI. However, Dr Isabelle PIGEAU, radiologist who belongs to our team, can have a MRI Scanner or an artro-scanner made for you as soon as possible.

Which are the most common pathologies ?

In the section `pathologies`, you will find a brief description of the most common pathologies, such as Carpal Tunnel, Ganglions, Trigger finger, etc.

I do not live in the Paris Area. Where can I have an appointment or surgical operation?

You can contact one of the centres members of F.E.S.U.M (European Federation of Emergency Services for Hand Injuries) F.E.S.U.M's preliminary aim is to guarantee the best quality care possible provided to patients with a hand injury. This is possible not only due to the co-ordination of services which are members of the European Federation of Emergency Services for Hand Injuries, but also due to the training and research facilities related to hand traumatology and microsurgery applications.

Will I get a refund for my transport expenses ?

The refund for transport expenses from patients with social security is subject to legislation. Most often, the round trip expenses at the day of the surgical operation are refunded. Transport related to a work accident or professional disorder are under the doctor's consideration. Post-op transport expenses are not refunded, unless it is about unusual cases. In case the patient is subscribed to an authorised entity, the use of its money participation is limited.

There are 4 means of transport which are authorised by social security :

Private and public transport : the patient is autonomous, provided his/her health conditions enable him/her to use conventional means of transport. Please, ask for the form called `expenses refund`.
Taxi : The patient's health conditions do not enable him/her to use public transport, but does not need qualified assistance. Taxi drivers have an agreement with social security, they are committed to guarantee maximum comfort to the patient, especially to access the vehicle.
V.S.L (Véhicule Sanitaire Léger/ Light Sanitary Vehicle) : the patient's health conditions enables the use of a means of transport, but requires qualified assistance. This vehicle is equipped with a first-aid-kit, and it is driven by personnel who is qualified in health science. The V.S.L's driver should co-operate with the patient when outside the vehicle and/or regarding administrative paperwork.
Ambulance : The patient, or the injured person needs constant care on behalf of qualified staff. The ambulance has a crew of 2 qualified people, and important equipment (reanimation); the vehicle is subject to very strict sanitary standards, just like a medicine prescription is made before patients go to a pharmacy, the `transport ticket` is a medical prescription which has to be made before transport. The value of the surgical procedure is not a sufficient condition to have access to sanitary transport, a medical/medication need is also required.

My operation did not take place at the French Institute for Hand Surgery, but I would like to have my follow-up there. How should I do it ?

The French Institute for Hand surgery is not a nursing care centre. All the dressings applied at the French Institute for Hand Surgery, will be made after an appointment with one of the institute's surgeons. Here, you will be given a prescription for nursing care, and the follow-up care will be carried out at the Institute.

I would like to have my surgical intervention at the Institute, but I do not live in the Paris Area. Despite this, should I visit an anaesthetist before the operation ?

The pre-op visit to an anaesthetist is medical-legal. This visit should be carried out about one month and eight days before the scheduled surgical operation. According to the Chief-In-Anaesthetics at the French Institute for Hand Surgery, the visit to the anaesthetist can be carried out at the patient's location, as long as the anaesthetist agrees to have such appointment. If you have decided to be operated on at the French Institute for Hand Surgery, we will do our best to assist you the same day by the surgeon and the anaesthetist to avoid further transport expenses.

My clinical doctor believes I suffer from Carpal Tunnel syndrome, but I have not had an electromyography made prior to the appointment. Does this pose any inconvenience ?

An E.M.G can be performed at the French Institute for Hand Surgery almost every day. This exam is often required to appreciate the significance of the nerve compression and its influence on the sensitive and motor nerve fibres.
If you need to have an E.M.G prior to the appointment with the surgeon, you may refer to the secretary.

Could my postoperative rehabilitation take place at the French Institute for Hand Surgery ?

At the French Institute for Hand Surgery there are three rehabilitation therapists available. Therefore, your rehabilitation can be carried out in our offices every weekday, Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

How should I manage my post op care ?

Generally, you will be assisted at the French Institute for Hand Surgery before the end of the first week. Our nurses have great experience related to hand and upper extremity care. They will know how to apply of the dressings in such a way that you do not feel discomfort.

What exactly is ambulatory surgery ?

This is about a scheduled or emergency surgical operation where the patient will remain less than 12 hours in the Health Centre which has admitted him/her, before returning home. This surgery is most often performed under local regional anaesthesia by an ananesthetist-reanimator. This surgery is most times performed under the same safety protection conditions as any other surgical operation which requires extended hospitalisation and/or general anaesthesia.

What is local and regional anaesthesia ?

It is about injecting an appropriate concentration of anaesthetic substance, which when in contact with a muscular or nerve structure, temporarily and reversibly blocks the nerve supply to a part of the body, therefore, its sensitiveness and motor function.

What sort of documentation should I submit in order to arrange an appointment, especially if I would like to schedule a surgical operation ?

You should submit your VITALE card (French social security card) and a certification of the VITALE card. You may as well submit a certification of your health plan.

What time should I arrive for my surgical operation ?

Usually, if your operation is scheduled for the afternoon, you should arrive at the Victor Hugo Clinic, from 12 to 1 p.m. If your operation is scheduled in the morning, your arrival will depend upon the distance between your house and the clinic. All the answers to these questions are in the appointment book at the Victor Hugo Clinic, as well as in the documentation provided in the pre-operative appointments.

I forgot the appointment date with my surgeon. What should I do ?

You should call the French Institute for Hand Surgery. Our Surgica® IT system allows us to administer all the systematised appointments and medical files. Only with your name and surname and your date of birth, we will find your appointment schedule.

Which are the most important preoperative instructions ?

These instructions will be given in several occasions: at your pre-op visit with the anaesthetist, in your document holder (which is useful to keep all the documentation regarding the operation)

Avoid taking Aspirins the week prior to the operation.
After meticulous washing, hands should be washed carefully, nails should be cut, clean and without paint.
Do not wear make-up, take off your contact lenses.
Wear long sleeved clothes (due to the dressing).
Do not wear valuable objects (jewellery)
Do not forget your medical documentation, x-rays, exams, social security card, Vitale card, and health plan card.
During the pre-op appointment with the anaesthetist, you will be given the time for your last authorised food and drink intake.
It is advisable to bring books, papers or a walkman, as you will have some time to rest before the operation.
Do not come to the institute by your car.

Which are the most important post operative instructions ?

These instructions will be given in several occasions: at your pre-op visit with the anaesthetist, in your document holder (which is useful to keep all the documentation regarding the operation)

a prescription for medication for pain relief.
the documentation that certifies your absence at work.
time and date for the next appointment.
The presence of an adult is required to take you to your place and stay with you during the night after the operation.
You may use a taxi or your own car to return to your place.
You should only take the prescribed medication, or the medication of your regular treatment.
Avoid having alcohol for 24 hours.
Neither make any important decision nor sign any official document for 24 hours