An unusual indication for replantation

Teleconsultation with the mobile camera-phone in remote evaluation of replantation potential

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the feasibility of teleconsultation with the mobile camera-phone to transfer clinical images and communicate on line for evaluation of replantation potential in completely amputated fingers.

METHODS

Teleconsultations including clinical images of the amputated portion and stump as well as patient information were transmitted between the physicians in the emergency room and the consultant phlstic surgeon through Panasonic camera-phones, which had a built-in 110,000-pixel digital camera and a 65,536 colors display. The digital images displayed on the screen were further evaluated by three remote plastic surgeons individually and the evaluations were compared with the decision made according to onsite inspection by the consultant surgeon.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 35 patients with a total of 60 digital injures occurring between January to October 2003. The ability to identify the amputation location and status of amputation kwel from remote diagnosis was demonstrated by all three surgeons in 90% and 87% of these sixty amputated digits respectively. Of the 42 digits that were considered to have replantation potential during onsite evaluation, 38 (90%) digits were considered to be so by all three surgeons in group agreement during remote diagnosis. Of the 18 digits that were not considered to be replantable during onsite evaluation, 15 (83%) digits were also deemed without replantation potential, thus making the sensitivity and specificity of recognizing digital replantation potential, 90% and 83_'O re,_1pectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The camera-phone is a feasible tool for remote evaluation regarding the replantation potential of completely amputated fingers and it holds significant promise in avoiding unnecessary patient transfer by providing useful information.

Microsurgical revascularization of almost totally amputated alar wing of the nose

A case of nearly complete amputation of the alar wing is presented whereby a successful arterial revascularization was accomplished using an arterial rerouting technique. Venous stasis was overcome by means of stab-wound wiping. An excellent result was obtained following complete survival of the revascularized segment. The authors conclude that microvascular revascularization should always be attempted whenever possible, even if a skin bridge is preserved in nearly complete amputations of the nose.

Microsurgical Replantation of a Small Segment of Thumb Volar Skin

This report presents a case of microsurgical replantation of a volar skin segment of the thumb. In a 24-year-old patient, a heavy object falling over the dominant thumb resulted in a crush-avulsion injury of a pure skin segment measuring 4 x 2 cm. Examination revealed that the distal fingertip as well as the bone-tendon structures remained intact. Exploration demonstrated that both neurovascular bundles were included in the avulsed skin segment. Microsurgical replantation was achieved successfully, repairing the radial digital artery at both ends with vein grafts as well as anastomosing a palmar vein. Both digital nerves were coapted proximally and distally. An excellent functional and cosmetic result was accomplished with a good sensory recovery. The authors conclude that microsurgical replantation should be attempted in cases of more proximal pure skin avulsions, even if the injury spares distal fingertip tissue or bone-tendon units. In such cases, replantation is superior to any other method of reconstruction. Liberal use of vein grafts is crucial to achieve success.