Replantation of Severed Fingers in the Elderly

Abstract

The replantation of severed fingers of old people relates to those whose over 60 years old. With the development of basic and clinical research, age is no longer a contraindication. If old people suffer severed fingers, their general condition should be assessed first to judge whether they can tolerate surgery, and then consideration should be given to whether or not they wish to undergo replantation and to ensure they understand the function of replanted finger. Any operative treatment should be considered on the assumption of a relatively good condition of the severed finger, short ischemia, good general condition, controlled internal diseases and expected good function recovery. The replantation of severed fingers of old people is always a challenge in clinical practice because of its specificity, but the age range of successful replantation is growing. There was successful case reported for a 72-year-old at No 153 Central Hospital of the People’s Liberation Army in 1990, and for a 74-year-old at No 89 Hospital of the People’ Liberation Army. Another successful case, for a 79-year-old, was described in Hand Surgery, edited by Gu Yudong, Wang Shuhuan and Shi De in 2000.