Traumatic amputation of digits: the fate of remaining blood. An experimental and clinical study.
Experimental studies on rabbit ears amputated by either a clean sharp division or severed by a crushing blow showed that twice as much blood remained in the crush group. Microthrombi and tissue thrombi were seen in this group only. A review of 142 digital replantations performed over a 10 year period showed 126 survivals. Ninety-three were complete amputations and 80 of these survived; 49 were incomplete amputations and 46 survived after revascularization attemps. Of 74 clear amputations, 68 survived; of 68 crush-type amputations, 58 survived. Circulatory disturbances occurred in 36 replanted digits; 16 could not be salvaged. The primary cause of complications was venous obstruction. In 80 digital replantations done from January, 1974, to December, 1975, success was obtained in 75 (93.75 percent). Irrigation of vessels of the severed part is done only in cases of double level amputation, severely crushed or those due to avulsion. Heparin, low molecular weight dextran, urokinase, and antibiotics are given for several days after operation.
D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000150:complications*; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001163:Arteriovenous Anastomosis; D001808:Blood Vessels; D003911:Dextrans / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004431:Ear, External / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005385:Fingers / Q000601:surgery*; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D011817:Rabbits; D012092:Replantation; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003911:Dextrans; D006493:Heparin; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator