Immediate survival and functional results were studied in 60 finger re
plants performed from 1980 to 1990. The follow-up ranged from 1 to 5 y
ears with the mean of 2 years and 8 months. The survival rate achieved
was 70% and was not related to the patient's age, the mechanism of in
jury, the level of amputation, the total ischemia time, the number of
arteries and veins repaired or the type of vascular reconstruction. Se
nsory return was related to the mechanism of amputation and the total
active motion was strongly correlated with the level of amputation. Of
the 16 digits that had only one artery anastomosed, there were 10 sur
vivals (62.5%), and in 15 digits with anastomosis of two arteries, the
success rate was 86.66% (P = 0.1244). The success rate in those cases
in which vascular grafts were employed was 62.96% (P = 0.4161). In re
plantations with one, two or three veins anastomosed, the survival rat
e was 50%, 79.16% and 100%, respectively (P = 0.1324). (C) Wiley-Liss,
Inc.