Replantation of subzoneⅡcomplete fingertip amputation is technically difficult. The difficulty in anastomosis of the central artery is due to the narrow and deep operative field. We therefore added a volar midline incision to expose the central artery in the case of replantation for subzoneⅡcomplete fingertip amputation. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical results of this method.
A prospective study of 14 patients (10 men and 4 women) who underwent artery-only replantation for subzoneⅡcomplete fingertip amputation with a volar midline incision (approximately 4-5 mm) to expose the central artery during the time period of 2010 to 2020 was performed. The mean age of the patients at surgery was 55 years old (range, 23-75) . Vein grafting was performed in 7 patients.
Twelve of 14 (86%) replanted fingertips survived.
The survival rates of subzoneⅡcomplete fingertip amputation without venous anastomosis were 62-88%. The results of this prospective study were comparable to those of previous reports. We concluded that a volar midline incision to expose the central artery is a useful option for subzoneⅡcomplete fingertip amputation.
