[Preliminary evaluation of the results of thumb replantation in the material of Plastic Surgery Clinic CMKP in Warsaw in 1983-1996].

Forty-four patients underwent thumb replantation (after complete amputation) at Department of Plastic Surgery, Medical Center for Postgraduate Education at Warsaw between 1983 and 1996. There were 41 males and 3 females aged 13-58 years (mean 29 years). In 16 patients other fingers were also amputated. Circular saw wounds prevailed (27 patients--61%). Replantation time ranged from 3 hours to almost 12 hours (mean 6.5 h). In 38 cases (86%) the replanted thumb survived. Half of the failures occurred before 1988. In all types of amputation including avulsion good results were achieved with reversed vein grafts and vessels rerouting from the index finger (from among 7 avulsed thumbs 6 survived). Surgical technique modification according to the injury type has been discussed.