[Results of replantation in thumb amputations. New examination methods for evaluation of sensation]

Of 91 thumb amputation injuries which were treated over a five-year period at the Department of Traumatology, University School of Surgery Homburg/Saar, 56% could be subjected to a critical follow-up evaluation. The evaluation scheme of Millesi "Evaluation and Registration of Hand Function" programmed for electronic data processing forms the basis for the study. Besides the specified criteria for sensitivity testing, a further method for objective testing is presented. The principle of this method is point stimulation of pressure and mechanoreceptors after eliciting a threshold perceptible vibration stimulus of an 80 Hz sinusoidal oscillation the intensity of which can be directly measured as a yardstick for the stimulus response. Electronic processing of all results of the patients investigated shows that the injured hand can be used to almost 100% in 38%. In 16 patients (31%), there is a reduction by 5 to 20%. In ten cases (20%), the reduction was rated as over 20% compared to a healthy hand and in 11% (six patients), the overall result is to be designated as poor with more than 40% reduction of use.