Optimizing survival and long-term outcomes in complex pediatric digital amputations: a case report with a 6.5-year follow-up.
Cheligeer, Haoran Jiang, Yongsheng Wang et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 1.5-year-old boy sustained complete thermal-crush amputations of the left index, middle, and ring fingers in an industrial sealer injury. The digits were replanted using a modified micro-reconstructive approach that included length-preserving bone management with less than 3 mm of shortening, extension fixation, and targeted venous drainage. All three digits survived. At 6.5 years, he had excellent sensory recovery, full proximal interphalangeal joint motion, and robust epiphyseal growth without clinically significant longitudinal growth discrepancy.
What made this case unusual
Despite severe thermal-crush amputations of three digits in a very young child, all replanted digits survived and showed sustained growth without clinically significant length discrepancy at long-term follow-up.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
In this case, a targeted replantation strategy preserved digit length while achieving survival and favorable long-term function and growth after complex pediatric thermal-crush injury.