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Digital sensibility following replantation.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Gelberman, RH; Urbaniak, JR; Bright, DS; Levin, LS
Published in: J Hand Surg Am
July 1978

The amputated digit serves as an excellent model for the examination of digital nerve repair. When amputation is complete, there is no question of cross-over or anomalous innervation. The sensibility of 35 replanted digits in 29 patients was evaluated. Sensory return was related most closely to restored digital vascularity, as measured by Allen test, pulse volume flow, and Doppler. Level of amputation, mechanism of injury, and age of patient also affected ultimate sensation. All patients experienced cold intolerance and some were considerably disabled because of it. The severity of cold intolerance with pain and requiring prolonged rewarming was directly proportional to digital vascularity. When one digital artery thrombosed, ipsilateral digital sensation was not diminished as long as flow through the contralateral vessel was adequate. Two-point discrimation in our series was not as good as that reported for digital nerve repair in the nonamputated digit. Establishing and maintaining adequate digital flow at the time of replantation is essential to obtain good digital sensibility and to avoid symptoms of cold intolerance.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Hand Surg Am

DOI

ISSN

0363-5023

Publication Date

July 1978

Volume

3

Issue

4

Start / End Page

313 / 319

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Sensation
  • Replantation
  • Regional Blood Flow
  • Raynaud Disease
  • Orthopedics
  • Nerve Regeneration
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Hypesthesia
  • Humans
 

Citation

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Gelberman, R. H., Urbaniak, J. R., Bright, D. S., & Levin, L. S. (1978). Digital sensibility following replantation. J Hand Surg Am, 3(4), 313–319. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0363-5023(78)80030-6
Gelberman, R. H., J. R. Urbaniak, D. S. Bright, and L. S. Levin. “Digital sensibility following replantation.J Hand Surg Am 3, no. 4 (July 1978): 313–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0363-5023(78)80030-6.
Gelberman RH, Urbaniak JR, Bright DS, Levin LS. Digital sensibility following replantation. J Hand Surg Am. 1978 Jul;3(4):313–9.
Gelberman, R. H., et al. “Digital sensibility following replantation.J Hand Surg Am, vol. 3, no. 4, July 1978, pp. 313–19. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/s0363-5023(78)80030-6.
Gelberman RH, Urbaniak JR, Bright DS, Levin LS. Digital sensibility following replantation. J Hand Surg Am. 1978 Jul;3(4):313–319.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Hand Surg Am

DOI

ISSN

0363-5023

Publication Date

July 1978

Volume

3

Issue

4

Start / End Page

313 / 319

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Sensation
  • Replantation
  • Regional Blood Flow
  • Raynaud Disease
  • Orthopedics
  • Nerve Regeneration
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Hypesthesia
  • Humans