Doc hopes boy who nearly lost hand can play flute again

Rocky Mountain News and CBS4 News

Published October 19, 2007 at midnight

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PARKER — Henry Barrett nearly lost his hand during a tug-of-war game at Lutheran High School last week.

Now, his doctor is hopeful that Henry will be able to play the flute again.

Barrett, 16, and classmate Mitch Helfer had their hands partially severed in the accident during a homecoming pep rally.

"Where the rope was wrapped around his hand and in essence was like a noose, both wrapped around it, and pulled if off at the same time," said Dr. Lewis Oster, of Hand Surgery Associates.

Oster reattached Barrett's hand by using plates and pins to attach the severed bones. He then sewed the blood vessels, nerves and muscles back together. The surgery lasted nearly 10 hours.

"I'm very impressed with Henry," Oster said. "He's a very mature kid. He has a real positive outlook on life."

"The future has a mind of its own," Barrett said in a prepared statement. "Isn't that what makes life great?

"I may have been injured, but my eyes have been opened; now I can see so much more. I can see new areas of my mind."

Oster, who said the reattachment surgery has a success rate of about 40 percent, credits emergency responders who kept Barrett's detached hand cool and moist in making the surgery a success.

"It's my hope Henry will be able to play the flute again," Oster said. "I anticipate he will and I anticipate it'll be in the next few months."

Helfer remains hospitalized.

Reporting by CBS4's Jodi Brooks.

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