Results of replantation of amputated fingertips in 450 patients

Abstract

Over a 15-year period (August, 1988 to May 2003), the authors have carried out 510 replantations of amputated fingertips distal to the nail base (zone I) in 450 patients, with a high overall survival rate (92 percent), using combinations of arterial and venous anastomoses without any alternative methods such as "pocketing." Replantations that anastomosed only one artery (25 digits) had a success rate of 68 percent, one artery and one vein (115 digits) had a success rate of 82 percent, one artery and two veins (240 digits) had a success rate of 95 percent and more than two artery and vein anastomoses (130 digits), had a success rate of 99 percent. The follow-up period ranged from 3 months to 14 years and 432 patients were followed-up more than 6 months. In these latter patients, the average two-point discrimination was 7 mm.