COLD-INDUCED VASOSPASM IN REPLANTED DIGITS - A COMPARISON BETWEEN DIFFERENT METHODS OF ARTERIAL RECONSTRUCTION

Nineteen patients each of whom had had a single digit replanted were e xamined after replantation. The arterial reconstruction had been done with long grafts (n = 10) or short grafts or no graft (n = 9). The eff ect of local or whole body cooling on the replanted and uninjured oppo site digits was monitored (9-46 months after the replantation), and th e patients were given a questionnaire (9-95 months after replantation) designed to explore the development of their cold related symptoms in relation to time. All patients were troubled by cold intolerance, and improvement occurred in only 60% of the cases. Pathological (vasospas tic) arterial reactions to cold measured as finger systolic pressure, were less common after replantation with long grafts. Perceived cold i ntolerance was significantly more pronounced in the group of patients (60%) who had evidence of cold induced arterial spasm in the replanted finger.