Single- versus double-artery repair without vein anastomosis in Tamai I fingertip replantations: a retrospective cohort study

The aim of the study was to report outcomes of fingertip replantations in Tamai zone I without vein anastomosis. The success rate and need for external bleeding between patients who underwent single and double-artery repair were compared. In this retrospective multicentre study, 144 replantations were carried out with a single-artery repair and 35 with a double-artery repair. The difference between the success of replantation in these two groups was not statistically significant: 108 (75%) in the single-artery group and 29 (83%) in the double-artery group. External bleeding was more frequently needed in the single-artery repair group (n = 135, 94%) than in the double-artery repair group (n = 6, 17%). Although there was no statistical difference in replantation success, performing double-artery repair may be more beneficial as there was less need for external bleeding and as a result complications associated with external bleeding can be avoided.Level of evidence: III