Rotating shaft avulsion amputations of the thumb

In a three-year period twenty-nine patients were treated for rotating shaft avulsion amputations of the thumb. Twenty-three thumbs were considered suitable for replantation. A staged approach, consisting of primary replantation and secondary nerve grafting and tendon reconstruction, was used because of concern that survival rates would be low. Survival was achieved in nineteen of twenty-three replantations. At mean follow-up of 20.5 months grip strength was 94.6% of the unaffected side and key pinch was 77.1%. Five patients achieved a two-point discrimination less than five millimeters. Success was better anticipated and now a full reconstruction is carried out in a single-stage procedure.