Evaluation outcome of replanted digits using the DASH score: review of 38 patients

The ultimate usefulness of replanted fingers is related to the adequacy of nerve, tendon and bone repair. Thirty-eight patients with successful replantation of the thumb, a single finger or after multiple digital amputations were followed up clinically. The subjective disability after finger replantation was evaluated by means of the DASH score, and the presence of cold intolerance was assessed. The subjective outcome of the achieved replantation reached an overall DASH score of 12.3. Patients after thumb replantation reached a score of 10.0, after a single finger replantation DASH 11.2 and after multiple finger amputations and replantation of at least one finger, DASH 16.1. Cold intolerance was subjectively found in 86.7% of all hands with replanted fingers without a correlation to the patients DASH scores. The patient's evaluation of their limb function after replanted digits by means of the DASH score, when combined with an objective external assessment, represents a valuable comparative tool.