Type of Surgery
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Last updated: 11/24/2009
The diagnosis is easily made by visual inspection since the finger(s) must be completely detached from the hand. The reattachment procedure is complex and involves the expertise and skill of a highly trained surgeon. There are several important factors...
necessary to successful replantation, including special instrumentation and transportation of the amputated finger. Surgical loupes (binocular-type eyepieces used by surgeons to magnify small structures during surgery) are necessary for this procedure. Instruments should be at least 3.9 in (10 cm) long to allow for proper positioning in the surgeon's hands. Special clips are used to help suture blood vessels together. The best method of saving and transporting the amputated finger is to wrap it with moistened cloth (Ringer's lactate solution or saline solution) and place it on ice. Generally, the tissues will survive for about six hours without cooling. If the part is cooled, tissue survival time is approximately 12 hours. Fingers have the best outcome for transportation survival, since digits (fingers) do not have a large percentage of muscle tissue.
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This animation shows the function of the main skeletal muscles in the body. At the microscopic level, artists have animated how actin and myosin, (two muscle proteins) interact to make muscles contract.
To save a detached finger for reattachment surgery, it should be wrapped in a moist paper towel and put on ice (A). First the surgeon will reattach the blood vessels and nerves of the finger (B). The bone may be repaired with wires (C), and tendons are repaired (D). Skin and muscle wounds are also closed during the procedure. (Illustration by GGS Inc.)
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Finger reattachment (or replacement) is defined as reattachment of the part that has been completely amputated. Replantation refers to reattachment of a completely severed part, meaning there is no physical connection between the part that has been cut off and the person. Reattachment can be surgically performed for the finger and such other detached body parts, as the hand or arm.
From http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_gx5198/is_2004/ai_n19119766
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New procedures like minimally invasive procedures are often subject to scrutiny, but I think that one of the biggest problems facing these innovative procedures is for people to understand exactly what we do.
-Dr. Michael Perry, Laser Spine institute
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