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Complete digital amputations undergoing replantation surgery: a 10-year retrospective study

  • Surgery Articles
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HAND

Abstract

Background

As a result of growing expertise and skill, replantation surgery has evolved to more than the technical reattachment of an amputated part.

Methods

A retrospective study of complete digital amputations undergoing replantation surgery was conducted for the purpose of assessing trends in these complex cases. All incomplete and partial amputations were excluded.

Results

A total of 171 patients who had replantation surgery between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 2003 for 278 completely amputated digits were reviewed. Of the 171 patients, 91 (53 %) had work-related injuries. The main mechanism of injury was saw injury (95 patients) for both occupational- and non-occupational-related injuries. The proximal phalanx was the most common level of amputation and the thumb was most frequently involved. The injuries happened more commonly in the summer months. Microvascular failure occurred in 29 % of the replanted digits and was most commonly associated with avulsion-type injuries.

Conclusions

Complete amputations represent a more complex injury than incomplete amputations, with a higher failure rate.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest and no sources of funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Ryan M Neinstein

  2. Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, University Health Network, East Wing 2nd Floor, 399 Bathurst St., Toronto, ON, M5T 2S8, Canada

    Linda T. Dvali

  3. Conflict Studies, Saint Paul University/University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Suzanne Le

  4. Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    D.J. Anastakis

  5. Toronto Western Hospital, UHN, 399 Bathurst Street, EW-2, Toronto, ON, M5T 2S8, Canada

    D.J. Anastakis

Authors
  1. Ryan M Neinstein
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  2. Linda T. Dvali
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  3. Suzanne Le
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  4. D.J. Anastakis
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ryan M Neinstein.

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Neinstein, R.M., Dvali, L.T., Le, S. et al. Complete digital amputations undergoing replantation surgery: a 10-year retrospective study. HAND 7, 263–266 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11552-012-9427-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11552-012-9427-z

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