A Comparision of Functional Outcomes after Successful Replantation versus Thenar Flap for Single Fingertip Amputations

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This retrospective study was to determine the functional results of patients who were amputated of their fingertip between patients who were treated with replantation and patients who were treated with thenar flap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2004 to 2007, we identified and operated 159 patients who were diagnosed with fingertip amputations. Of 159 patients, Eighty-two patients were treated by replantation (67 in men and 14 in women) and the mean age at the operation was 41 years (range, 15-68 years). Seventy-nine patients was treated with thenar flap(54 in men and 25 in women) and the mean age at the operation was 43 years(range, 21-70 years). We compared variables between two groups including, age, gender, diagnosis, duration of hospital admission, grip strength, two-point discrimination, Semmes Weinstein monofilament test, active range of motion (ROM) of the proximal and distal interphalangeal (PIP and DIP) joint, pain (or tenderness), paresthesia, cold intolerance, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, and finger for activities of daily living (ADLs). RESULTS: The duration of admission was longer in Replantation group than in Thenar flap group(p=0.001). However, the grip strength (p=0.003) and Semmes Weinstein monofilament test (p=0.029) in the Replanation group were statistically superior to the Thenar flap group. The average DASH disability (p=0.003)/symptom score (p=0.007) and ADLs (p<0.001) in the Replantation group was statistically better. In addition, cold intoleranace test of Thenar flap group is worse than the Replantation group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrate that fingertip replantation have demonstrated not only to obtain the best appearance but also to gain better functional outcome. However, it is impossible to perform replatation, the thenar flap can be limited alternative method for fingertip amputation in aspect of preservation of range of motion and hospitalization time.