ABSTRACT
One-hundred and twenty-seven digits in Verdan zones I and II, and 24 thumbs in 106 patients were reviewed from 1979 to 1995. Patients were all followed for a minimum of 5 months to assess early results and complications, and to determine if a short course (minimum 3 days) of dextran 40 anticoagulation adversely affected digit survival. The total survival rate was 88 percent. Digits with only a single artery and vein repaired had a significantly higher rate of failure (p > .05). Index and small fingers also showed a trend toward lower survival. Vein grafts were used in 22 percent of cases. No vascular problems were noted after 5 days. Variables not affecting survival were: presence of a joint fusion, type of fixation, level of injury, number of digits, mechanism of injury, and use of vein grafts. The average hospital stay for the group was 6.5 days (+/-SD 3.3). No complications were seen with dextran use. A total of 51 complications were seen overall and the non-union rate was 10 percent. Community-based replantation and revascularization can be performed with early results equivalent to prior published studies. Complications are to be expected and demand expeditious treatment. Functional recovery of severed digits remains the benchmark for success in these injuries, however, lost digits never work.
Subject(s)
Amputation, Traumatic/surgery , Finger Injuries/surgery , Fingers/blood supply , Microsurgery , Replantation , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Anticoagulants/therapeutic use , Child , Child, Preschool , Dextrans/therapeutic use , Fingers/surgery , Follow-Up Studies , Graft Survival , Humans , Infant , Length of Stay , Middle Aged , Postoperative Complications , Retrospective Studies , Thumb/blood supply , Thumb/surgeryABSTRACT
The motor branch of the ulnar nerve can be compressed by the arch of origin of the adductor pollicis muscle. There can be a well-defined band of tissue either at the point where the nerve crosses the third metacarpal or where it penetrates the adductor muscle. In over half of the cadaver hands studied no arch was demonstrated. Clinically these patients present with obvious atrophy of the first dorsal interosseous and adductor muscle. Usually pain is not a prominent symptom. This type of ulnar nerve compression neuropathy is present in less than 1% of those ulnar neuropathies that occur at the wrist and hand.
