Replantation and revascularization at the transmetacarpal level: long-term functional results. 1996

N Weinzweig, and L A Sharzer, and I Starker
Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago 60612-7316, USA.

Thirteen consecutive transmetacarpal replantations and revascularizations in 12 patients were reviewed retrospectively. Ten patients (11 hands) sustained crush injuries, 1 withstood an explosive blast, and 1 suffered a guillotine amputation. Nine revascularizations (1 thumb and 31 fingers) and 4 replantations (1 thumb and 16 fingers), including bilateral procedures in 1 patient, were performed. Forty-four of 49 replantable digits (90%) were salvaged. Ten patients (11 hands) required secondary surgery (mean, 4.5 procedures per hand), 29 of 49 (60%) for tendon and joint scarring and 7 of 20 (14%) for nonunions or malunions. Range of motion averaged 109 degrees per digit. Intrinsic muscle function and pinch and grip strengths were weak or absent. Recovery of sensibility was poor. According to Chen et al.'s grading system of functional return, 4 (31%) were grade II, 4 (31%) were grade III, and 5 (38%) grade IV. The follow-up period ranged from 2.5 to 11 years. Only 1 patient resumed his prior occupation (as supervisor); 2 were permanently disabled, 3 pursued new and unrelated occupations, 2 were still in therapy, and 4 were lost to late follow-up evaluation. None of the manual laborers (11 patients) were able to return to their preinjury livelihood. Despite these discouragingly poor results, all patients were satisfied with the surgery.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008663 Metacarpus The region of the HAND between the WRIST and the FINGERS.
D012092 Replantation Restoration of an organ or other structure to its original site. Reimplantation,Surgical Replantation,Replantation, Surgical,Reimplantations,Replantations,Replantations, Surgical,Surgical Replantations
D005383 Finger Injuries General or unspecified injuries involving the fingers. Injuries, Finger,Finger Injury,Injury, Finger
D005385 Fingers Four or five slender jointed digits in humans and primates, attached to each HAND. Finger
D005500 Follow-Up Studies Studies in which individuals or populations are followed to assess the outcome of exposures, procedures, or effects of a characteristic, e.g., occurrence of disease. Followup Studies,Follow Up Studies,Follow-Up Study,Followup Study,Studies, Follow-Up,Studies, Followup,Study, Follow-Up,Study, Followup
D006225 Hand The distal part of the arm beyond the wrist in humans and primates, that includes the palm, fingers, and thumb. Hands
D006230 Hand Injuries General or unspecified injuries to the hand. Injuries, Hand,Hand Injury,Injury, Hand
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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