Fingertip Replantations by Only Arteriorrhaphy without External Bleeding

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Traditionally, external bleeding is needed when only an arteriorrhaphy can be performed in cased where a venorrhaphy cannot be done at the initial reconstruction for a zone I complete amputation. However, this salvage procedure has several iatrogenic complications. Therefore, we did not perform an external bleeding procedure, in cases where external bleeding was not appropriate due to the small size of the stump. METHODS: From September 2006 to August 2007, 19 fingertip amputations, among 18 patients, were performed using only arteriorrhaphy without external bleeding; In total 95 fingertip amputations, with venorrhaphy or external bleeding procedures were excluded. The results were reviewed retrospectively to compare survival and complication rates. RESULTS: The survival rate of only arteriorrhaphy without external bleeding is 84.2%. Additional operations for soft tissue problems of total or partial necrosis were performed in 5 cases. CONCLUSION: We found no differences in the survival and complication rates of only arteriorrhaphy without external bleeding compared to results of only arteriorrhaphy with external bleeding in other articles. Therefore, our results suggest that in some cases with a fingertip amputation, performing arteriorrhaphy only, without external bleeding, might be a better option than external bleeding due to reduced iatrogenic injuries and complications.