Successful replantation of four fingers by a single common digital artery anastomosis.

The replantation of 4 digits of 1 hand was attempted in a patient who had completely amputated his fingers at the level of the metacarpophalangeal joints. Anastomosis of the severed ends of the third common volar digital artery proved to be successful not only in re-establishing arterial circulation in the middle and ring fingers but also in the index and little fingers, as evidenced by survival of the digits and as evaluated by postoperative angiography. The reasons for this success are discussed in light of anatomic studies.