Reimplantation (suturing) of fingers, hand and their parts

Latvian Microsurgery Center is the only place in Latvia where you can get help around the clock in case of amputation of hands, fingers and other parts of the body. The question of the expediency of sewing (replantation) of a finger, hand or hand is usually decided by the plastic surgeon on duty.

Suturing or replantation of a severed finger can be done even after 10-12 hours, a severed hand should be sutured within 6 hours, a severed shoulder – after 3-4 hours. If the severed body part is properly cooled, replantation can be carried out even after a long time.

In order to successfully transport an amputated body part to the hospital, simple requirements must be met:

• Find amputated body part

• Wrap it in a clean cloth

• Put in plastic bag

• Place everything in a rigid container or bag filled with water with ice cubes floating in it.
• Don’t forget to take the amputated part with you to the medical facility

Completely crushed and torn off parts of the hand or fingers cannot be transplanted (sewn back). Thus, primary care and emergency physicians must use their erudition and knowledge to determine whether the amputated part can be considered viable tissue. For example, a finger amputated at several levels or caught in a meat grinder cannot be sewn back. It is not advisable to refer such patients to the Microsurgery Center, since the patient will be provided with assistance that could have been received a few hours earlier.

If grafting a hand or finger is technically possible, then in 60-80% of cases, depending on the part of the body and the degree of damage, it is successful. If the patient smokes, the chances of successful suture of the amputated body part are minimal due to radically impaired blood circulation in the periphery of the body.