Amputated finger

Replantation of an amputated part is ideally performed within 4 to 6 hours after injury, but success has been reported up to 24 hours after the injury if the amputated part has been cooled. During surgery, bone, tendon, ligaments, nerves, and vessels are reattached. Success depends upon if the blood supply can fully be restored to the amputated portion and if the nerves reattach successfully. Proper care of the amputated part is vital to successful replantation. Under proper conditions, the long-term prognosis for the restoration of function in an amputated part is quite good.

Review Date: 07/28/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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