A Systematic Review of Outcomes of Revision Amputation Treatment for Fingertip Amputations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of outcomes of fingertip revision amputation for fingertip amputation injuries in the English-language literature to provide best evidence of functional outcomes. A MEDLINE literature search was performed to identify studies that met the following criteria: (1) reported primary data; (2) included at least five cases of primary revision amputation treatment following digit amputation injury; (3) reported finger or thumb amputation at or distal to the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint or interphalangeal (IP) joint, respectively; (4) presented at least one of the following outcomes: static two-point discrimination (2PD), cold intolerance, arc of motion (AOM) of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, proximal interphalangeal joints (PIP), DIP joints, or return-to-work time. Thirty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-seven studies reported 2PD, 20 studies reported cold intolerance, eight studies reported AOM, and 18 studies reported return-to-work time after revision amputation of fingertip injuries. The mean 2PD was 5.6mm. On average, 24% of patients experienced cold intolerance. AOM at the PIP joint was reported in four studies and averaged 94°. DIP joint AOM was presented in four studies and averaged 66°. Thumb MCP and IP joint AOM was presented in three and four studies, respectively. Mean thumb MCP joint AOM was 54° and that of the IP joint was 71°. The mean return-to-work time was 47days. On average, fingertip revision amputation can achieve almost normal sensibility and satisfactory motion and patients can expect to return to work on average approximately 7weeks after surgery.