ABSTRACT
Although immediate replantation of an amputated digit is always preferable, mitigating
circumstances (such as a severe concomitant injury involving the appropriate recipient
neurovascular structures) might preclude such an attempt altogether. However, if these
local structures have the potential, following adequate debridement and/or other tissue
transfer, to accept this digit later, than an alternative for transient storage for
delayed replantation should be considered. The deep inferior epigastric vessels are
a recognized convenient site that could provide temporary ectopic revascularization
of such a solitary finger. An example of this approach for thumb preservation is presented,
although amputation of the hand before performing the secondary transfer unfortunately
proved prudent.
