[Use of volar veins in finger replantation]

Abstract

The number and the location of the venous anastomosis in finger replantation are discussed. The principle: 'two veins for one artery' has been given up in favour to do only one venous anastomosis. A vein on the palmar side should be preferred. Here the anastomosis is protected by a thicker layer of subcutanous tissue. In addition this technique allows to do the total vascular reconstruction without turning the hand. In a number of 84 finger replantations there was a failure rate of 9,5% by using only one vein for replantation. In 17 finger replantations using one volar vein we lost only one finger (5.9%).