The History of the Replantation of Amputated Fingers

Abstract

The hand is an organ related to labor and beauty that distinguishes humans from other animals. As human civilization progresses, the hands play an irreplaceable role in the process when human activities shift from handicraft to light industry, heavy industry, and electronic technology information. Hands are most susceptible to damage during daily life and work. During industrial production in particular, with relatively low automaticity, it is not uncommon for severe traumas caused by high energy in the hands to result in finger mutilation, leading to life-long disability. Surgeons face the arduous task of attempting to repair and reconstruct the injuries, reduce the patient’s disability and improve their quality of life. Human efforts to carry out studies of hand trauma have never ceased, whether the study be fundamental or clinical. The simple trauma care of hand injuries has been directed to evolve toward the complicated replantation of mutilated fingers and the recovery of hand functions. Long-term clinical practice has demonstrated that patient cooperation and reasonable functional exercise is also of vital significance during the treatment of hand trauma, in addition to the doctor’s accurate judgment, skill proficiency, and proper management. Satisfying results can be achieved in the recovery of hand trauma only after the joint efforts of both doctors and patients.