Hand Surgery in Different Countries: Hand Surgery in Japan

Japan has faced the most challenging times in the past. Through precise diligence by stalwarts and doyens of initial hand surgeons, it led an incredible path for the most significant moments of hand surgery. This article describes the early phase of development of Japanese Society for Surgery of the hand, substantial and innovative contributions from surgeons. A noteworthy and significant achievement in the hand surgery is microsurgery and its utilities for all hand-related diseases. The first replantation of the thumb, toe transfers and wrap-around flaps are the effective surgical techniques developed and imparted to the fellow hand surgeons worldwide. We had a particular interest in congenital hand surgery and developed a modification of congenital hand classifications and introduced many surgical techniques. Besides, we grew ourselves refining more in hand and microsurgery, innovating flexor tendon repair, peripheral nerve surgeries, wrist arthroscopy, joint replacements, external fixators, and implant arthroplasty for rheumatoid hand. We share our health care information, insurance working model and hand surgery training schedule in Japan.