Digital Replantations: Comparison Veins Anastomoses first versus Arteries Anastomoses first

Purpose This retrospective study analyses the effect performing veins anastomoses before arteries anastomoses in digital replantation. Patients and methods 38 adult patients with replantation of 12 thumbs and 39 fingers, in whom the veins anastomoses were performed prior to the arteries anastomoses, were compared with 29 patients with replantation of 9 thumbs and 30 fingers, in whom the arteries anastomoses were done first, with respect to the survival rate, total active motion, grip strength, and duration of the replantation. Results There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to the survival rates, total active motion, and grip strength, while the duration of the replantation was significantly shorter in patients, in whom the veins anastomoses were performed prior to the arteries anastomoses (2 hours and 50 minutes versus 3 hours and 42 minutes; p < 0.001). Conclusion Performing veins anastomoses before arteries anastomoses in digital replantations reduces the replantation time significantly without influencing the survival rate and the clinical outcome.

Determinants of Success in Single- and Multi-Digit Replant

Purpose: Understanding the variables that influence success in digital replant surgery is essential to guide clinical decision-making and to counsel patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the replant success rate and identify predictors of success at our tertiary care centre. Methods: This was a single centre, retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients who underwent digital replantation from January 2000 to September 2018. Adult patients with flexor zone I to III amputations were included. Patient demographics, comorbidities, injury pattern, operative data, and post-operative care were reviewed. The primary outcome was survival of the replanted digit at discharge. Results: A total of 146 patients met inclusion criteria. Of these, 100 had single-digit replants and 46 underwent multi-digit replants for a total of 220 digits. The success rate was 71%. Predictors of success included sharp mechanism of injury (P < .01), incomplete amputation (P < .01), amputation proximal to zone I flexor level (P = .02), post-operative acetylsalicylic acid use (P < .01), absence of leech use (P = .05), and absence of operative re-exploration (P < .01). Daytime replants had similar outcome compared to nighttime replants despite having increased ischemia time (7.9 ± 3.9 hours vs 6.8 ± 2.6 hours, P = .02). However, daytime operative time (7.8 ± 3.7 hours) was significantly shorter than nighttime replant time (9.6 ± 5.9 hours, P = .01). Conclusion: Sharp amputation, intact venous drainage, proximal amputation, and acetylsalicylic acid use were associated with replant survival and are factors to consider when managing patients for digital replantation. Leech therapy and operative re-exploration were associated with poor outcome. Nighttime replants required significantly longer operative time than daytime replants despite similar survival outcome.

Analysis of Outcomes of Tamai Zone I Digital Replantation in Cases of Severe Crushing Injury

Purpose: Digital replantation has dramatically changed the fate of mutilated injuries of hand. But in case of severe crushing injury in Tamai zone I, it is a contraindication of replantation. This study aims to determine the replantation survival rate in cases with crushing injury.Methods: We retrospectively evaluated patients’ charts and photos from January 2015 to December 2019. There were 294 patients (331 fingers) with digital amputation who underwent surgery. Cases with crushing were divided into petechiae-in-skin group and red-line-sign group and compared with the group without crushing. The relationship of survival rate with factors was evaluated using chi-square analysis.Results: Of these, 199 fingers were defined as severe crushed, and 140 cases with petechiae in skin and 59 cases with red line sign. There was no statistically significant difference in survival rate compared with the group without crushing (p=0.227). Additional surgery was performed more in crushed injury. However, necrotized soft tissue was mainly on margin of amputation, not on crushed area.Conclusion: The presence of crushing did not affect survival rate in Tamai zone I replantation. However, as the degree of crushing was severe, the need for additional surgery increased. We found that the number of anastomosed arteries and veins influences the survival rate. According to our analysis, even if it’s difficult, finding and doing anastomosis as many vessels as possible can make good results.