Replantation of thumb or fingers with skin degloving injury in 30 patients: an outcomes evaluation

Objective To report the clinical outcomes of replantation of thumb and fingers with skin degloving injuries. Methods Thirty patients with 42 avulsed thumb and fingers treated with replantation from 2007 to 2012 were follow-up for 2 to 7 years (average, 4 years). Based on the level of the degloving injury, avulsion of the index, middle, ring and little fingers was categorized into grade Ⅰ avulsion and grade Ⅱ avulsion. The results of replantation were assessed by the provisional functional assessment criteria for thumb and finger replantation issued by the Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association and by the Michigan hand outcomes questionnaire (MHQ). Results According to the provisional functional assessment criteria for thumb and finger replantation issued by the Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association, 93.3% of the cases achieved excellent and good results. This satisfactory rate was 100% in grade Ⅰ avulsions and 87.5% in grade Ⅱ avulsions. MHQ revealed high patient satisfaction. Conclusion Replantation of thumb and fingers with skin degloving injuries can lead to fairly high patient satisfaction with restoration of form and function. Grade Ⅰ avulsions have better results than grade Ⅱ avulsions. Key words: Finger injuries; Replantation; Degloving injury; Follow-up studies