ObjectiveTo introduce a new medical heat preservation device, and to explore the application value and effectiveness in replantation of severed fingers. MethodsThe medical heat preservation device was design, water was used as the heating medium, and temperature was set and controlled by microcomputer. Between November 2010 and January 2014, 421 cases undergoing replantation of severed fingers were divided into 2 groups. Within 9 days after operation, the medical heat preservation device was used in 210 cases (experimental group), and the conventional heat lamp was used in 211 cases (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, injury cause, the interval between injury and admission, injury finger side, and operation time between 2 groups (P>0.05). The vascular crisis rate, success rate of replantation of severed fingers, comfort, sleep quality, and the influence on roommates were compared. ResultsThe comfort and the influence on roommates were good in 188 cases (89.52%) and 201 cases (95.71%) in the experimental group, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (25/211, 11.85%; 145/211, 68.72%). According to Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) for sleep quality, the results were good in 105 cases, fair in 85 cases, and poor in 20 cases in the experimental group; the results were good in 45 cases, fair in 95 cases, and poor in 71 cases in the control group. Blood vessel crisis occurred in 35 cases (16.67%) of the experimental group, which was significantly lower than that in the control group (76/211, 36.02%) (P<0.05). The survival rate of replantation in the experimental group (196/210, 93.3%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (181/211, 85.78%) (P<0.05). Significant differences were found between 2 groups (P<0.05) in above indexs. ConclusionMedical heat preservation device for replantation of severed fingers can improve the comfortable degree of patients and the quality of sleep, increase the survival rate of finger replantation, and reduce the occurrence of vascular crisis after operation.
Objective To study the effect of internal fixation with absorbable intramedullary nail on the treatment of phalange fractures in replantation of severed finger. Methods From September 2001 to October 2003, 28 cases with industrial severed finger (21 males and 7 females, with the age of 18-35 years) were replanted within 1-6 hours. The severed locations were index fingers in 11 cases, middle fingers in 8 cases, ring fingers in 6 cases, little fingers in 3 cases. All cases of phalange fractures were fixed by absorbable intramedullary nails of poly-DL-lactic acid(PDLLA) that combined with chitosan. Out of the 28 cases, 15 cases were with proximal phalange, 11 cases were with middle phalange, 2 cases were with distal phalange. The bone marrow cavity of the phalanges were dilated, then the intramedullary nail was inserted with suitable diameter and length to fix the fracture. Postoperatively resin bandage was applied for 3-4 weeks.Results All the 28 patients survived the performance and postoperative follow-up ranged from 3 to 10 months(4 months in average). Rejection was observed in one case 3 weeks after operation, bone unions were obtained in other cases. According to the Chinese Medical Association’s evaluation standard for replantation of amputated finger, 18 fingers resulted in excellence, 9 fingers in good function and 1 with unsatisfactory function. The excellent and good rate was 96.4%. Conclusion Internal fixation with absorbable intramedullary nail of PDLLA combined with chitosan proves to be effective in the replantation of severed finger.
To investigate the significance of activated platelet levels before and after surgical operation in patients with severed finger by severe injury, the P-selectin (CD62p) positive platelet percent in peripheral blood was studied in 32 patients before and after operation by flow cytometric immunology. At the second and third day after operation, seventeen patients, which in a high positive platelet percent, were measured again after anticoagulation treatment with a large dose of urokinase etc. The results were that the levels of CD62p positive platelet in peripheral blood before and after operation were significantly higher than that of the normal group (P lt; 0.01). The CD62p positive platelet percent was increased not much more in the anti-coagulation patients than in the normal ones (P gt; 0.05). There were a few vascular crisis observed. This study suggested that severed fingers by a crushing or wringing injury enhance the platelet activity and resulted in hypercoagulation, thus anti-coagulation measures should be taken to avoid possible thrombosis and improve the survival rate of replantation. CD62p was one of the sensitive indices of activated platelet, which could be used in calculating hypercoagulation accurately.
The method of diversion of the arteryvein flow was used for vascular anastomosis in 12 cases undergoing replantation of the severed limbs(fingers)and free tissue transplantations. The results from this method were successful. The efficacy of this method of re-establishment of the blood circulation broadened the indications for replantation and also provided a method of choice in cases when there was impediment of the venous return during tissue transplantation.
ObjectiveTo investigate the treatment outcome of applying venous Flow-through flap in the replantation of severed finger with circularity soft tissue defect and vascular defect. MethodsBetween January 2010 and December 2012,11 cases (11 fingers) of severed finger with circularity soft tissue defect and vascular defect underwent replantation with venous Flow-through flaps.There were 8 males and 3 females,aged 18-42 years (mean,24.6 years).The cause of injury was squeeze injury in 6 cases,crush injury in 3 cases,and strangulation in 2 cases.Combined injuries included nerve defect in 3 cases (1.0,2.0,and 3.5 cm in length),and tendon defect in 2 cases (2.0 and 6.5 cm in length); cyclic skin and soft tissue defect was 3.0-4.5 cm in width,was 1/2-1 finger circumference in length,and was 2.0 cm×1.0 cm to 7.0 cm×4.5 cm in size.Six cases had complete circular defect (both finger artery and vein defects),and 5 cases had incomplete circular defect (only finger artery defect),and vascular defect was 1.0-4.5 cm in length.The time from injury to operation was 1.5-4.5 hours. ResultsVenous crisis occurred in 1 case at 2 days after operation,was cured after vein graft; flap edge necrosis was observed in 2 cases and was cured after dressing change and skin grafting respectively; flap edema and blister occurred in 2 cases and relieved spontaneously.The other 6 flaps and replanted fingers survived completely,with primary healing of incision.Ten cases were followed up 12-18 months (mean,15.5 months).Only a linear scar was seen at the donor sites,with no functional limitation.The flaps had similar color and texture to adjacent skin.The two-point discrimination was 6.5-13.0 mm (mean,8.6 mm).According to replanted finger function scoring system of Society of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association,the results were excellent in 6 cases,good in 3 cases,and poor in 1 case at last follow-up,and the excellent and good rate was 90%. ConclusionVenous Flow-through flap can repair both vascular defect and soft tissue defect,so it has good outcome in increasing the survival rate of replanted finger for severed finger replantation with circularity soft tissue defect and vascular defect.