Francesco Idone1, Andrea Sisti2, Juri Tassinari3, Giuseppe Nisi3. 1. Jalisco Plastic and Reconstructive Institute, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico. 2. Plastic Surgery Division, General and Specialist Surgery Department, University of Siena, Siena, Italy asisti6@gmail.com. 3. Plastic Surgery Division, General and Specialist Surgery Department, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Finger amputations are the most common injuries to the upper limb. There are many options in the management of fingertip or finger amputations. We report our experience using cooling composite graft (Hirase technique) for distal finger amputation, as alternative to microsurgery implantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We collected a case series of eight patients and report on the clinical outcomes after a 10-month follow-up period. RESULTS: The amputated part survived almost completely in six patients; in these cases, the fingertip amputations were classified, according to the Allen classification, as level I in two cases, level II in three cases and level III in one case. CONCLUSION: Re-implantation of an amputated finger with the Hirase technique is possible and can provide good distal soft-tissue coverage and recovery of sensory and motor functions. We believe that re-attachment of the amputated portion as a composite graft represents an important alternative to microsurgery.
BACKGROUND: Finger amputations are the most common injuries to the upper limb. There are many options in the management of fingertip or finger amputations. We report our experience using cooling composite graft (Hirase technique) for distal finger amputation, as alternative to microsurgery implantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We collected a case series of eight patients and report on the clinical outcomes after a 10-month follow-up period. RESULTS: The amputated part survived almost completely in six patients; in these cases, the fingertip amputations were classified, according to the Allen classification, as level I in two cases, level II in three cases and level III in one case. CONCLUSION: Re-implantation of an amputated finger with the Hirase technique is possible and can provide good distal soft-tissue coverage and recovery of sensory and motor functions. We believe that re-attachment of the amputated portion as a composite graft represents an important alternative to microsurgery.