A modified replantation for thumb rotating avulsion amputation / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To introduce a modified replantation for thumb rotating avulsion amputation,and to evaluate its short term clinical outcome.Methods From January 2007 to July 2009,7 patients with thumb rotating avulsion amputation underwent replantation,including 6 males and 1 female,aged from 21 to 47 years (average,28.3 years).The amputation level of each thumb was metacarpophalangeal joint.During operation,fusion of metacarpophalangeal joint was performed according to injury degree of soft tissue; interphalangeal joint of the thumb was fixed in 15 degrees of flexion by sewing flexor pollicis longus muscle tendon and extensor pollicis longus muscle tendon to tendon sheath or soft tissue; the superficial vein harvested from ipsilateral forearm was used to bridge the dorsal carpal branch of radial artery and the ulnar palmacollateral artery of the thumb; direct anastomoses of dorsal veins were performed in 6 cases and venous transplantation in 1 case; and bilateral nerves were transferred to the back of the first metacarpal and anastomosed to the superficial branch of the radial nerve.Results All 7 replanted thumbs survived completely.Arterial crisis occurred in 1 case after operation,which was cured after operative and medication treatment.The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 24 months.The appearance and opposition function of replanted thumbs were satisfactory and the sensation of fingertip recovered to S4 in 4 cases and to S3 in 3 cases.The two point discrimination ranged from 8 to 12 mm.Conclusion Because bridging the dorsal carpal branch of radial artery and the ulnar palmar collateral artery of the thumb with a superficial vein harvested from ipsilateral forearm to reconstruct blood supply of the thumb is available and easy to be performed,this modified replantation is an ideal way to repair thumb rotating avulsion amputation.