Vannes, Brittany – SOS Mains, the hand surgery branch of SOS Médecins Vannes, is drawing patients from across Brittany and beyond, establishing itself as a regional reference center for complex hand and upper limb trauma and pathologies. A visit from regional health officials on Thursday, October 30, 2025, highlighted the associationS growing impact and capacity.
The center, serving a population of over 800,000 inhabitants including areas beyond Morbihan like Quimperlé, has become a crucial resource for specialized hand surgery. Other medical centers regularly consult with SOS Mains for expert opinions,with patients traveling from cities like Concarneau and Brest,notably during peak summer months. “They send us patients for opinions, some come from Concarneau and Brest. During the summer, they come from everywhere,” explains surgeon Catherine Hemon.
Founded in February 2013 with just two surgeons – Catherine Hémon and Pierre Poirier – SOS Mains has rapidly expanded to a team of five specialists. In 2014, the team managed 1,130 emergency cases and nearly 1,330 scheduled interventions, demonstrating a meaningful unmet need for hand pathology treatment in the region. Today, the surgeons treat conditions affecting the hand, wrist, forearm, and elbow.
“It works well because we do rapid surgery, sometiems for big trauma and also for smaller things,” Hemon stated, underscoring the center’s ability to handle a wide range of cases. The organization’s success is attributed to its rapid surgical approach and the expertise of its team, solidifying its position as a vital component of Brittany’s healthcare infrastructure.