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SAVING THE AMPUTATED DIGIT AND HAND
Author(s) -
O'BRIEN B. MCC.,
MILLER G. D. H.,
MCLEOD A. M.,
NEWING R. K.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1973.tb110552.x
Subject(s) - replantation , numerical digit , amputation , medicine , surgery , avulsion , crush injury , mathematics , arithmetic
Indications for replantation of fingers and hands are discussed. Success has been achieved in guillotine and moderate crush injuries but avulsion injuries have presented problems. A brief outline of the technical approach and postoperative management is given. Twenty cases, involving 27 incomplete and completely amputated digits, have been treated. All 8 incompletely amputated ischaemic digits have survived and 13 of 19 totally amputated digits were successfully replaced. In addition, 2 completely amputated hands and 1 incomplete and 1 complete below elbow amputation have survived. Secondary surgery has been completed on the majority of patients with Improved function and return to work. A long‐term evaluation of hand function is necessary but the present results are encouraging, particularly in nerve regeneration. The organizational aspect of a replantation team together with first‐aid instructions are included, and the value of a multidiscipline type research programme stressed.