Acute digital ischemia in infants: the hair-thread tourniquet syndrome--a report of two cases.

Infants are susceptible to digital ischemia if a toe is encircled by a strand of hair on some other similar material. Infants under 6 months are particularly at risk. There is often a delay of 3-4 days before the condition is recognized. Prompt removal is necessary in order to prevent loss of the part. This syndrome is referred to as the hair-thread tourniquet syndrome. Two cases illustrating the presenting clinical findings and the operative treatment are presented.