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Updated: Jul 1, 2026

Vascularized Composite Hand Allograft Procurement and Preparation for Distal and Proximal Forearm Allotransplantation: A Stepwise Approach
Published on: May 23, 2025
Ipsilateral heterodigital artery transfer for finger revascularization
1University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR 72205-7101, USA. rdleblanc@uams.edu
Abstract:
We report a case of digital revascularization in a child's small finger by using a digital artery from the adjacent uninjured digit. Reconstruction of a defect in the digital artery with a vein graft is technically challenging in a child and has a higher risk of failure due to anastomoses at 2 levels and possible size mismatch. We detail the technique of heterodigital artery transfer from the ring finger to revascularize the small finger with segmental loss of both digital arteries. This technique has not been reported previously and offers a simpler alternative to vein grafting in select situations.
