Replantation (Subscribe)  

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,...

Full text and illustrations of 1991 textbook Highly Reputable

Microsurgical reconstruction is used for complex reconstructive surgery problems when other options such as primary closure, healing by secondary intention, skin grafting, local flap transfer, and distant flap transfer are not adequate. Microsurgery may not be the best solution for all reconstructive dilemmas and certainly is not the first choice...

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...

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

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...