title: Temporary ectopic digital implantation: a clinical series of eight digits.
abstract: This paper reports our experience with temporary ectopic digital implantation. Four patients suffered 12 digital amputations with large defect over the proximal stumps. Only 8 digits were suitable for microsurgical salvage but the local conditions made direct replantation impossible. In our first patient, the two digits were ectopically implanted onto the foot, while in the second patient the four amputated digits were implanted onto the opposite forearm. After stump reconstruction, the digits were microsurgically transferred to the hand, restoring a functional pinch. One digit suffered a venous congestion and necrosis in the ectopic site caused by a haematoma and another experienced a no-reflow phenomenon. In conclusion, temporary ectopic implantation remains a procedure that can be used to salvage amputated digits.
authors.affiliation: Institut Aquitain de Chirurgie Plastique, Reconstructrice et Esthétique, Chirurgie de la Main et MicrochirurgiePessac, Bordeaux, France. Joebakhach@free.fr
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bakhach
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Katrana
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Panconi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baudet
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Guimberteau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000601:surgery*; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005528:Foot / Q000601:surgery; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012092:Replantation / Q000379:methods*; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000601:surgery