Reintegration of distal digital amputation with composite graft and plasmatic diffusion expanded distally on the palmar dermal plane - a case report of a 2-year-old child and a literature review

ABSTRACT

In more-distal amputations of the fingertips, microsurgical replantation is not feasible. For these cases, composite graft provides the best functional and aesthetic results. However, its reintegration is uncertain. Several techniques have been proposed to improve bulky graft survival by basically reducing its volume, regardless of whether a skin flap is connected. Other techniques create an additional contact surface for plasmatic diffusion, the so-called subcutaneous pocket, without reducing the composite graft volume and yielding high success rates. This article presents a case of amputation of the distal tip of the fifth digit (Ishikawa zone I) of a 2-year-old child. Because of the impossibility of microsurgical replantation, a composite graft was used to reintegrate the amputated stump, without debridement, by creating a new contact surface for plasmatic diffusion at the distal end of the grafted stump, on the dermal plane in the hypothenar region, thereby increasing the contact area and decreasing the radial distance for the plasmatic diffusion of the composite graft. Twelve days later, the additional contact was separated and both surfaces presented bleeding. Full reintegration occurred with minimal scarring of the finger and hypothenar region. A brief literature review was conducted, discussing surgical concepts and factors that influence composite graft survival. The most appropriate and best vascularized anatomic plane for additional contact with the graft in the recipient area needs to be determined.

Keywords:
Amputation; Amputation stumps; Composite grafts; Child; Finger injuries