Ring Avulsion Research Articles

Microvascular management of ring avulsion injuries

Microvascular management of ring avulsion injuries

Microvascular management of ring avulsion injuries

Microsurgical revascularization has proved to be a useful method in managing the ring avulsion injury where both neurovascular bundles are damaged with only partial skin avulsion. Representative cases are used to illustrate guidelines for a practical classification for helping to decide the optimal method of treatment of acute ring avulsion injuries in light of digital revascularization techniques. Nine ring fingers were successfully revascularized of 24 acute ring avulsion injuries reviewed. Sensibility recovery was good and a functional range of motion obtained. No patient who has had his ring finger revascularized has requested its amputation because of appearance, painful neuromas, stiffness, or cold intolerance. Complete amputations, especially proximal to the superficialis insertion, and complete degloving injuries of the ring finger are usually best managed by surgical amputation of the digit.

RING AVULSION INJURY

Dependent upon the age, the occupation, and the requisites of an individual patient, the less important ulnar fingers may be of great value; in these the philosophy of discriminate preservation should be given considerable weight in the choice of treatment. Revascularization of fingers injured by a ring avulsion, and restoration of tactile gnosis with esthetic coverage make salvage of the valued ulnar fingers feasible. Three illustrative cases are described.

Ring avulsions of the finger. Management and prevention.

1Clinical Instructor of Surgery (Orthopedics) at the University of Colorado Medical Center, Denver 2Chief of the Hand Surgery Service, Denver General Hospital, Denver, Colorado