Heterotopic transplantation of a reattached digit.

Abstract

A patient who had suffered amputations at different levels of his nondominant left hand, and who had initially been treated with reattachment of his index and long fingers, presented with a minimally functional left hand. He was then managed by transplantation of his reattached index finger stump to the shortened ring finger. This significantly improved hand function and contour and alleviated a painful neuroma at the former ring finger amputation site. However, compared with the long finger, which was reattached once, the twice-reattached finger had less sensibility recovery, more pronounced cold intolerance, decreased basal skin temperature, and a slower digital rewarming time. Thus, even though it is technically feasible to transfer a previously reattached digit, other possible physiologic limitations must be considered before doing so.

• Authors: D T Chiu, J A Ascherman
• Journal: Plastic and reconstructive surgery (Plast Reconstr Surg) Vol. 95 Issue 1 Pg. 152-5 (Jan 1995) ISSN: 0032-1052 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7809231 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Amputation, Traumatic (physiopathology, surgery)
• Cold Temperature
• Finger Injuries (physiopathology, surgery)
• Humans
• Male
• Replantation
• Sensation
• Transplantation, Heterotopic