A novel technique: Subatmospheric pressure wound therapy for treating venous congestion of replanted digits

Venous congestion remains to be a major factor in causing digit replantation failures. The established solutions are: use of medical leech, local application of heparin gauze, and continuous nail bed massage. However, each method has its drawbacks. In theory, subatmospheric pressure wound therapy promotes continuous bleeding from the venules of the applied area, resulting in the relief of congestion. We applied subatmospheric pressure wound therapy to two replanted fingers of which venous congestion was noted shortly after the operation. The therapy was applied to each patient for one week. Both replanted fingers survived. No complication was noted.