POSTOPERATIVE MEASUREMENTS OF BLOOD-FLOW IN REPLANTED FINGERS

After finger replantation, the blood-flow impedence in 15 patients who had lost one of their fingers near its base was measured oscillographically. These data were compared with those obtained from the same finger of the patient''s contralateral hand. Additionally, a control group of 20 normal persons was used for comparison. The sound finger''s flow volume remained within astonishingly narrow and constant interindividual limits. Uninterrupted postoperative monitoring of the 15 replanted fingers was possible. In 3 heavily traumatized fingers, incomplete ischaemia syndrome was discovered soon after the operation. The effect of rheological therapy using dextran 40 was quantified, and its value as an adjuvant was assessed.