Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Replantation surgery is one of the most difficult areas of reconstructive surgery. The aim of finger replantation is to restore sensation and adequate function of the amputated part in addition to restoring circulation. It is very crucial to investigate prognostic factors to improve the outcomes of this surgery. The type and severity of the injury, along with the duration between the injury and surgery, are the most significant factors influencing the success of replantation. This study investigates the impact of the type of anesthesia used on the success of replantation and other postoperative factors. METHODS: The finger replantation operations performed in our clinic between December 2018 and December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The effects of gender, smoking, type of injury, vein repair, nerve repair, use of vein graft, level of injury, type of anesthesia, preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin values on replantation success were statistically investigated in 192 patients (162 males, 30 females). Ratios in independent groups were compared by chi-square test. Comparisons of numerical variables in the independent groups were conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test, as the assumption of normal distribution was not satisfied. RESULTS: In the study, among the 192 patients, 91 received anesthesia via axillary nerve block (47.4%), 33 received general anesthesia (17.2%), and 28 received local anesthesia through digital block (14.6%). It was found that the type of anesthesia had no effect on the success of the replantation (p<0.05). A statistically significant difference was observed in the amount of change in hemoglobin levels between preoperative and postoperative measurements, according to the type of anesthesia. In the group receiving axillary nerve block, the decrease in hemoglobin levels was greater compared to the group receiving local anesthesia. CONCLUSION: Our study found that smoking status and type of injury had no effect on the success of replantation.