Clinical analysis and evaluation of the function of replanted and revascularized parts of the upper limb

Predictors of Hand Function Following Digit Replantation: Quantitative Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Digit replantation affords the opportunity to restore hand function following amputation. To date, however, few studies have evaluated functional outcomes following replantation. Therefore, it was the objective of this study to perform a meta-analysis to better characterize the predictors of hand function. Methods: A literature search was performed using the PubMed database to identify studies that focused on digit amputation/replantation and functional outcomes. Studies were evaluated for patient- and injury-related factors and their respective effects on clinical outcomes of sensation, grip strength, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores. Statistical analysis was conducted across the pooled data set to identify significant trends. Results: Twenty-eight studies representing 618 replanted digits were included in this study. We found the average grip strength was 78.7% (relative to contralateral), the average 2-point discrimination (2PD) was 7.8 mm, and the average DASH score was 12.81. After conducting statistical analysis, we found patients with more proximal injuries had lower grip strength scores (P < .05). We found 2PD scores were influenced by age, mechanism of injury, and amputation level (P < .05). Finally, we found DASH scores after replantation were predicted by mechanism of injury and level of amputation (P < .05). The following variables did not influence outcomes: gender, tobacco use, ischemia time, and digit number. Conclusions: Digit replant does not restore premorbid hand function but does result in adequate hand function. Expected functional outcomes following replant should be considered in the decision-making process. These data can help risk-stratify patients, guide postreplant expectations, and influence the decision for replantation.

Replantation and revascularization of amputated upper limb appendages outcome and predicting the factors influencing the success rates of these procedures in a tertiary hospital: An 8-year retrospective, cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

Worldwide advances in microsurgery have made salvaging of amputated hand via replantation and revascularization common procedures. The present study examines the outcome of these procedures in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia.

METHODS

Patients with hand amputation who underwent replantation or revascularization from 2005 to 2012 were identified and reviewed for patient characteristics, amputation characteristics and survival rates. Successfully treated patients were interviewed to assess the functional outcome using Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Quick-DASH) questionnaire and Michigan Hand Outcome Questionnaire (MHQ). Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate outcome and elicit predictive factors.

RESULTS

Fifty-five patients were enrolled: 37 (67.3%) underwent replantation and 18 (32.7%) underwent revascularization. The overall success rate of 78% ( n = 43) was within the range of previously reported data (61.6% to 96.0%). Ischaemic time <6 h provided significantly better survival rates ( p < 0.05). Functional outcomes were successfully assessed in 34 patients (79%), at a mean follow-up of 40 months (range 11-93 months). The overall Quick-DASH and MHQ scores were 42.82 ± 23.69 and 60.94 ± 12.82, respectively. No previous reports of functional outcome were available for comparison. Both Quick-DASH ( p = 0.001) and MHQ scores ( p < 0.001) were significantly higher for finger injuries, followed by thumb, wrist and palm injuries.

CONCLUSION

Ischaemic time and level of injury are important predictors of success rate of replantation and revascularization of amputated upper limb appendages.

Tendon function after replantation: prognostic factors and strategies to enhance total active motion

The purpose of this study was to determine the important prognostic factors for recovery of tendon function as measured by total active movement (TAM) in patients undergoing digital replantation. More important, the authors wanted to establish which factors may be manipulated to maximize motion. A retrospective review of 48 patients (103 digital rays) who underwent replantation was performed. Average TAM for all digits was 129 deg. Zone 1 and zone 5 injuries had better TAM than injuries in zones 2, 3, and 4, which had TAM values not significantly different from one another. Avulsion injuries fared significantly worse than other mechanisms of injury. TAM values were not affected by age, type of bone fixation, number of arteries repaired, or number of digits injured. Digits with both the profundus and the superficialis tendons repaired had significantly better TAM values relative to one-tendon fingers. Similarly, fingers treated with an "early" mobilization regime also exhibited better movement. Small numbers of injured digits in some groups may have limited our ability to detect significant differences.

Concerns about human hand transplantation in the 21st century

The decision to perform a human hand transplant was justified perhaps on less than an ideal scientific basis-only approximately 60 rat limb transplants and 2 primate limb transplants have survived for longer than 200 days and only 8 of 19 pig limb osteomyocutaneous transplants showed no signs of rejection at 90 days. It seems unlikely that the survival of a human hand transplant will be any better than the survival of a kidney transplant, which has a half-life of approximately 7.5 to 9.5 years. Fourteen hand transplants, however, have now been performed in 11 humans with the skin component of 1 remaining viable up to 3 years after surgery. Intermittent episodes of acute rejection seem to have been relatively simple to reverse by temporarily increasing the dose of immunosuppressive agents and steroids. Chronic rejection has occurred in 1 patient, necessitating re-amputation of the transplanted hand. Active range of motion of the digits has been surprisingly better than would have been expected based on previous results of replantation, but return of sensibility has been less than optimal. The immunosuppression has been well tolerated without any major medical problems or life-threatening episodes, but some patients have developed chronic viral and fungal infections and several have developed posttransplant diabetes. Extrapolating from the previous experience of solid-organ transplants, chronic immunosuppression may predispose a hand transplant patient to an 80% chance of developing an infection, a 20% potential risk of developing posttransplant diabetes, and a 4% to 18% potential risk of developing a malignancy. Even though there is universal agreement that composite tissue allograft transplantation will become the ultimate reconstructive option, no one can predict the eventual role of hand transplantation in the future, but perhaps an international database of these hand transplant patients should be established so that independent reviewers can more objectively evaluate their functional outcome, the incidence of chronic rejection, and the risks of long-term immunosuppression.

Multivariate analysis of factors influencing the functional recovery after finger replantation or revascularization

A multivariate statistical analysis was utilized to study the influence of the four preoperative (age, mechanism of injury, level of injury, and type of amputation) and one postoperative (rehabilitation) variables on the functional recovery of the replanted or revascularized finger. Statistically significant differences are summarized as follows. The young age group have a better functional recovery due to better sensory recovery than the old age group. The crush injury group have a better functional recovery, with better scores in motion and patient satisfaction, than the avulsion injury group. The middle phalangeal injury group have a better functional recovery, with better score in motion and sensation than the proximal phalangeal injury group. There is no statistically significant difference in functional recovery between the revascularized and replanted fingers, but there is a significantly better sensory recovery in the revascularized finger. The rehabilitation group has a better functional recovery, with better score in motion, subjective symptoms, and patient satisfaction, than the nonrehabilitation group.