Replantation of completely amputated thumbs with venous arterialization.
OBJECTIVE
To report a new method of replanting completely amputated thumbs with venous arterialization.


METHODS
In 6 replantation surgeries of completely amputated thumbs performed during the period 1999-2003, the proximal artery was anastomosed with a vein of the amputated part to establish inflow and the proximal vein was anastomosed with several other veins in the amputated part to establish outflow. This was because the proper palmar digital arteries were seriously injured or anastomosis of proper palmar digital arteries failed many times.


RESULTS
All the replanted thumbs survived, regained good sensory and motor functions, and showed no difference from thumbs replanted conventionally.


CONCLUSIONS
Venous arterialization may salvage otherwise unreplantable thumbs.
Tian
Lijie
L
Department of Hand Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China. tianlijie_sy@sina.com
Tian
Furong
F
Tian
Feng
F
Li
Xiaochuan
X
Ji
Xianglu
X
Wei
Jiao
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000601:surgery; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012092:Replantation / Q000379:methods*; D016879:Salvage Therapy / Q000379:methods; D013933:Thumb / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D014680:Veins / Q000601:surgery*