A Unique Case of Replantation of Previously Replanted Fingers
Research article published in Indian journal of plastic surgery : official publication of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India (2021)
Abstract
Replantation of digital amputations is now the accepted standard of care. However, rarely will a replantation surgeon be presented with amputated fingers which have been previously replanted. In our literature search, we could find only one publication where a replanted thumb suffered amputation and was successfully replanted again. We report the technical challenges and the outcome of replanting two fingers which suffered amputation 40 months after the initial replantation and were successfully replanted again. Replantation was critical since the amputated fingers were the only two complete fingers in that hand which had initially suffered a four-finger amputation. The second-time replantation of previously replanted fingers is reported to allay the concern of the reconstructive surgeon when faced with this unique situation of "repeat amputation of the replanted finger." Second-time replantation is feasible and is associated with high-patient satisfaction. Replantation must be attempted especially in the event of multiple digit amputations.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Peer-reviewed clinical and outcomes research relevant to medicinal leech therapy and its biology. Indexed in PubMed and verified against the NCBI record.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This case report documents the technically demanding re-replantation of two fingers that had been amputated again 40 months after an initial replantation — the only two complete digits in a hand that had originally lost four fingers — and reports successful second-time replantation with high patient satisfaction. It sits within hirudotherapy's primary clinical domain, digital replantation, where postoperative venous congestion is a leading threat to survival and medicinal leeches are a standard adjunct for decongesting the replant while venous outflow re-establishes. The abstract makes no mention of leeches or congestion management, and as a single unusual case it speaks to the feasibility of repeat replantation only, not to leech therapy outcomes.
Citation
A Unique Case of Replantation of Previously Replanted Fingers.
Bharathi R et al. · Indian journal of plastic surgery : official publication of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India, 2021
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