Replantation of degloved fingertips

Abstract

Objective To investigate the surgical indications and techniques of fingertip replantation in degloving injuries.Methods From 2005 to 2009,21 finger tips with degloving injury in 14 cases were mplanted.Reperfusion of the replants was achieved by digital artery anastomosis in all 21 fingers.Venous drainage was handled by anastomosis of finger pulp vein in 7 fingers,vein-to-dlgital artery anastomosis in 2fingers,and wound drainage with a rubber drain and saline irrigation without vein anastomose in 12 fingers.Results Twenty fingers survived while one finger necrosed.The survival rote was 95.2%.Nine cases with 15fingers were follow-up for 4 months to 2 years.The appearance of the replanted fingers,especially the finger nail,was satisfactory.Range of motion of the distal interphalangeal joints was normal.2-point discrimination averaged 4 mm.Conclusion Replantation of degloved fingertips leads to good functional recovery.Replantation should be attempted whenever there is anastomoseabled artery,regardless of the vein conditions. Key words: Finger injuries; Microsurgery; Replantation; Degloving injuries