A Comparison of Functional Outcomes and Therapeutic Costs: Single-Digit Replantation versus Revision Amputation

BACKGROUND: The functional outcomes and therapeutic costs between digit replantation and revision amputation have remained controversial. METHODS: A total of 1023 patients with single-digit traumatic amputation or devascularization who underwent successful digit replantation (failure excluded) or revision amputation from January 1, 2013, to January 1, 2016, were included in this study. All cases were subgrouped based on Tamai level of amputation and the injured digit. The clinical outcomes were assessed using the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire 1 year after the initial operation. The authors also compared the cost of treatment, the duration of hospitalization, and the duration of sick leave between the two treatments. RESULTS: Replantation of small (level I to V), ring (level I to III), and long (level I) fingers showed no functional benefit compared with initial revision amputation. In contrast, replantation of thumb (level I to V), index (level I to V), long (level II to V), and ring (level IV to V) fingers had better outcomes. The cost of replantation was higher and the durations of hospitalization and sick leave of replantation were also longer compared with the revision amputation group. CONCLUSIONS: Single amputated injuries of small (level I to V), ring (level I to III), and long (level I) fingers are a relative contradiction for replantation. Replantation of thumb (level I to V), index (level I to V), long (level II to V), and ring (level IV to V) fingers showed extra benefit compared with revision amputation.