Advantages of using volar vein repair in finger replantations (original) (raw)
Related papers
Impact of the number of veins repaired in short-term digital replantation survival rate
Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, 2016
Background: Venous congestion/insufficiency plays a major role in failure of finger replantation. Despite acceptable salvage rates with postoperative anticoagulation or leeching, operative technique remains the most important predictor of success. However, there are no indications in the literature on the benefit of anastomosing single versus multiple veins. Methods: A retrospective review of finger amputations from 2011 to 2013 was conducted. The analyzed endpoint was the finger survival rate at discharge depending on the number of veins repaired: multiple veins (group 1), only one vein (group 2), or no veins (group 3). Proportions were compared using v2 tests/Fisher's exact tests; p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Seventy-two patients with complete digital amputation were operated including 101 fingers. Twenty-seven fingers (26.7%) failed before hospital discharge, with 78% of failures due to venous complications versus 22% with an arterial etiology. Group 2 had 15 replantation failures due to venous causes as opposed to only one from group 1, representing a 1.27-fold (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.99, 1.34) increased relative risk of failure (p Z 0.032). Similarly, five fingers from group 3 suffered venous complications, resulting in a 1.49-fold (95% CI: 1.02, 1.73) increased likelihood of failure in comparison to group 1 (p Z 0.008). No significant difference was observed between having only one vein repaired versus none (RR: 1.1792, 95% CI: 0.83, 2.10, p Z 0.502). Conclusion: Efforts toward favoring two-vein repair lead to better survival of the replanted fingers. More cases need to be analyzed before formulating conclusions on specific levels of amputation with regard to venous anastomoses.
Intramedullary Venous Drainage System for Distal Fingertip Replantations
Annals of Plastic Surgery, 2017
The number of venous anastomoses performed during fingertip replantation is one of the most important factors affecting the success of replantation. However, because vessel diameters decrease in the zone 1 level, vessel anastomoses, especially vein anastomoses, are technically difficult and, thus, cannot be performed in most cases. Alternative venous drainage methods are crucial when any reliable vein repair is not possible. In the literature, so many artery-only replantation techniques have been defined, such as arteriovenous anastomoses, forming an arteriovenous or venocutaneous fistula, manual milking and massage, puncturing, and external bleeding via a fishmouth incision and using a medical leech. It has been shown that, in distal fingertip replantations, the medullary cavity may also be a good way for venous return. In this study, we introduce an alternative intramedullary venous drainage system we developed to facilitate venous drainage in artery-only fingertip replantations. The results of 24 fingertip replantations distal to the nail fold by using this system are presented with a literature review.
Standardized Protocol for Artery-Only Fingertip Replantation
The Journal of Hand Surgery, 2010
Purpose Artery-only fingertip replantation can be reliable if low-resistance flow through the replant is maintained until venous outflow is restored naturally. Injuring the tip of the replant to promote ongoing bleeding augmented with anticoagulation usually accomplishes this; however, such management results in prolonged hospitalization. In this study, we analyzed the outcomes of artery-only fingertip replantation using a standardized postoperative protocol consisting of dextran-40, heparin, and leech therapy. Methods Between 2001 and 2008, we performed 19 artery-only fingertip replants for 17 patients. All patients had the replanted nail plate removed and received intravenous dextran-40, heparin, and aspirin to promote fingertip bleeding and vascular outflow. Anticoagulation was titrated to promote a controlled bleed until physiologic venous outflow was restored by neovascularization. We used medicinal leeches and mechanical heparin scrubbing for acute decongestion. By postoperative day 6, bleeding was no longer promoted. We initiated fluorescent dye perfusion studies to assess circulatory competence and direct further anticoagulant intervention if necessary. The absence of bleeding associated with an initial rise followed by an appropriate fall in fluorescent dye concentration would trigger a weaning of anticoagulation. Results All of the 19 replants survived. The average length of hospital stay was 9 days (range, 7-17 d). Eleven patients received blood transfusions. The average transfusion was 1.8 units (range, 0-9 units). All patients were happy with the decision to replant, and the cosmetic result. Conclusions A protocol that promotes temporary, controlled bleeding from the fingertip is protective of artery-only replants distal to the distal interphalangeal joint until physiologic venous outflow is restored. The protocol described is both safe and reliable. The patient should be informed that such replant attempts may result in the need for transfusions and extended hospital stays, factors that can help the physician and patient decide whether to proceed with repantation.
HAND, 2006
Since the first successful replantation of a human thumb reported by Komatsu and Tamai in 1968, thousands of severed digits and body parts have been successfully salvaged. Restoration of anatomic form and function are the goals of replantation after traumatic tissue amputation. Regardless of anatomic location, methods include microsurgical replantation and nonmicrosurgical replantation, such as composite graft techniques. Numerous techniques to maximize tissue survival after revascularization have been described, including “pocket procedures” to salvage composite grafts, interposition vein grafts, and medicinal leeches to name a few. Artery-to-venous anastomoses have been performed with successful “arterialization” of the distal venous system in fingertip replantation. Although there is documented survival of free venous cutaneous flaps, to our knowledge this is the first report of a replanted composite body part (bone, tendon, soft tissues, and skin) utilizing exclusively multiple,...
Medicina Moderna - Modern Medicine, 2021
Injuries to the upper limb may determine unexpected simple or complex soft tissue defects, due to different types of underlying injury mechanism, clean cut/stabs, crushing, torsion, avulsion or mixed types, which pose a challenge for the reconstructive surgeon. Ideally, all arterial, venous and nervous lesions, in the distal upper limb should be repaired in an end-to-end technique, outside of injury zones, with healthy ends, in a tension free manner. However, situations arise where, either a tension-free repair is not possible, or a considerable defect is met, often representing a challenge to the surgeon. Therefore, a timely decision is imposed in order to find the most favorable approach to restore limb or segment perfusion, ensuring efficient venous return, as well as providing a sensate repair. Usage of vein grafts represents an essential tool comprised in the reconstructive surgeon’s armamentarium, with high versatility in nerve, arterial and venous reconstruction. Not only doe...
Replantation by palmar arteriovenous anastomosis in complex finger amputations
Chirurgie de la Main, 2015
Digital replantation is a well-established and increasingly common procedure in specialized hand surgery units worldwide. Replantation after complex trauma is often challenging due to severely injured, small-diameter vessels, especially at the distal level. Digit salvage by arteriovenous anastomosis has been inadequately described in the literature for such cases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcomes and complications of arteriovenous digital replantation in complex amputations. We reviewed five cases of digital replantation using a single palmar afferent arteriovenous anastomosis and drainage via a dorsal vein. The postoperative protocol followed our standard replantation protocol. All digits survived with no revision procedures. No major complications were observed. One digit developed partial epidermolysis and one thumb developed marginal skin necrosis, both treated conservatively. The color of the replanted digits was not a reliable monitoring parameter but capillary refill was consistently visible. Microangiography performed four months after surgery demonstrated good digit perfusion. Our results support palmar arteriovenous anastomosis as a reliable alternative in digital replantation if distal arteries are unavailable for anastomosis. The results also suggest that this digit salvage procedure can be carried out at a more proximal level than previously reported.
Partial nail plate removal after digital replantation as an alternative method of venous drainage
The Journal of Hand Surgery, 1985
Partial nail plate removal, systemic anticoagulation, and the application of topical heparin to the exposed nail bed were used to provide and maintain venous drainage for 14 digital replantations in which an arterial repair but no venous repair was done ("artery only" replantation). In each case venous repair was not possible since no vein of an acceptable size could be found either because of a distal amputation level or because an avulsive or crushing injury had damaged the veins in the amputated part. The average operating time per "artery only" replantation was 2 1 / 2 hours. Ten of the 14 "artery only" replantations survived (71.4%). The active range of motion, sensibility, strength, activities of daily living, and hospitalization for this group of patients were comparable with replantations in which both arterial and venous anastomoses were done.
Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery, 2015
Introduction: Microvascular anastomosis is a crucial procedure in replantation surgeries. Venous insufficiency is one of the most consistent cause of failure or re-exploration in these surgeries necessitating the use of venous grafts. Materials and Methods: We discuss our study of 9 such replantation surgeries executed in calendar year 2013-2014, including a double finger replantation done in the same patient having total amputation of 4 fingers of the same (right) hand, in which an arterial segment was used as a microvascular interposition graft for venous anastomosis. Out of these 9 surgeries, 3 were re-exploration procedures for venous compromise and 6 were successful primary replantations. Results: In all, 8 replants were successful and one failed due to arterial compromise. Discussion: In our experience and extensive review of the previously available literature, we would like to portray the advantages of arterial segments as microvascular grafts in replant surgeries. Specifica...