Amputations (Subscribe)  

Notes on amputations from finger tip to wrist disarticulation.
Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics

Fingertip, finger and thumb amputations are unfortunately common. Replantation of amputations at any level from shoulder to fingertip pulp is technically possible and has been performed for years. Replantation is a considerable undertaking, more so for the patient than for the surgeon, because it usually involves a prolonged recovery period,...

Fingertip injuries are the most common injuries of the hand, and appropriate treatment depends on the type of injury and the involvement of other digits. Fingertip amputation occurs distal to the insertion of flexor or extensor tendons into the distal phalanx. Numerous techniques are available for fingertip amputation, and the primary...

Since the first replant 40 years ago, thousands of severed body parts have been reattached, preserving the quality of life for thousands of patients through improved function and appearance that the void remaining after amputation cannot provide. Ronald Malt performed the first replantation on May 23, 1962 at Massachusetts General...

Objectives: We retrospectively evaluated replantations performed for Tamai type 1 thumb amputations.
Conclusion: Despite technical difficulties, thumb replantations yield good functional and aesthetic results. Sensory recovery is sufficient even after tip replantations without nerve repair.
Late results of replantations in tip amputations of the thumb Ismail Bulent OZCELIK, Husrev PURISA, Berkan MERSA,...

- See: separate notes on -
- Digit Reimplantation
- Moberg Flap;
- Tendon Injuries of the Thumb:
- Second Toe Transfer:
- Skin Grafts: for hand defects;
Management of Acute Injuries:
- amputations:
- replantation: - w/ amputations through...

In nine patients of median age 34 years who had sustained an amputation of the thumb at a median 24 (5 to 131) months previously, we lengthened the first metacarpal by 30 (17 to 36) mm. Seven amputations had been through the proximal phalanx and two through the metacarpal. The first two patients had autogenous grafting...

Although there is documented survival of free venous cutaneous flaps, to our knowledge this is the first report of a replanted composite body part (bone, tendon, soft tissues, and skin) utilizing exclusively multiple, microvascular, nonarterialized venous–venous anastomoses. We present a patient with an isolated band saw fillet amputation to the...

Replantation of completely amputated digits has been a medical reality since 1961, when Komatstu and Tami first successfully replanted a completely amputated thumb. Amputation of digits is common. Approximately 100,000 digital amputations occur per year in the US. Of these, an estimated 30% are suitable for replantation. The exact number...

This study reports four cases of hand avulsion at the proximal wrist level and multiple digits amputation were received in plastic and hand surgery unit during the year 2007–2008. All patients were male labors between 22–30 years old, and the amputation due to machine injuries. Successful replantation were achieved, after...

Case discussion on the Orthopaedic Trauma Association email discussion list. Interesting discussion of the pros and cons of amputation vs salvage with 5 month follow-up

This study reports five cases of crush-avulsion injury to the thumb at different levels presented at our plastic and hand surgery unit between 2005 and 2007. All of the patients were male labors with machine injuries to the thumb with non-replantable amputations. Distal phalanx or proximal phalanx, or both, were...

The thumb plays an important role in hand function. Daily tasks involving pinch, grip, grasp, and precision handling are more easily accomplished with an opposable thumb. Traumatic loss, congenital absence, or hypoplasia diminishes or eliminates the thumb's prehensile abilities and may affect overall hand function.
Attempts to restore thumb function were...

Reconstruction of an irreparably amputated thumb in multiple digit amputations using amputated fingers can considerably improve hand function and allows creation of a newly transplanted thumb with acceptable cosmetic and functional attributes. However, the surgery is challenging and rarely reported. We report six cases using this procedure in patients with...