A retrospective study of retrograde versus antegradepalm arteriovenous anastomosis in the distal fingertip replantation

Although replantation of fingertip is technically possible, advances in microsurgery have made salvage of amputated fingers a commonly performed procedure. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the functional outcomes after retrograde (RAA) versus antegrade (AAA) palm arteriovenous anastomosis in the distal fingertip replantation. The results showed that survival rate, appearance and digits growth situation in RAA group were better than all of them in AAA group. Moreover, the 2-point discrimination in RAA and AAA group was 4.7 mm (SD = 1.4 mm) and 9.3 mm (SD = 2.6 mm) respectively, and there were significant differences between RAA and AAA group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, touch, algesia and TAM in RAA group were better than all of them in AAA group. In conclusion, we found RAA or AAA provided a reliability of palmar arteriovenous anastomosis in the distal fingertip replantation. RAA treatment was better than AAA treatment to obtain ideal clinical outcomes such as survival rate, appearance and digits growth situation.