Arteriovenous shunt in digit replantation

From May 1958 to May 1987, 331 digits were replanted successfully with an overall survival rate of 86.2%. Complete success in replantation of amputated fingers requires an accurate anastomoses of both arteries and veins. However, anastomosis between arteries may not be possible in some patients. Since reports that a thumb amputated at the interphalangeal joint area could be successfully replanted by an arteriovenous shunt on the palmar side, we did arteriovenous shunts in four such cases. Two replantations were successful; necrosis developed in the other two patients.