Importance of the ribbon sign, indicating unsuitability of the vessel, in replanting a finger.
A marked tortuosity of the digital arteries ("ribbon" sign) at the site of a digit amputation is a sign of a severe avulsion injury to the neurovascular bundles. When this finding is present, the artery should be resected and the gap bridged by a vein graft, if revascularization is attempted.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000601:surgery*; D001158:Arteries / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005385:Fingers / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012092:Replantation; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014680:Veins / Q000637:transplantation