Effects of cold exposure on the circulation of replanted fingers during the early postoperative period.

The replanted finger after a complete amputation is an excellent model for the study of many aspects of vascular physiology. In the present clinical study, 10 patients were investigated to evaluate the incidence of cold-induced vasospasm in replanted digits during the early postoperative period. The results indicate that cold-induced vasospasm is not a risk factor in the early postoperative phase after digital-replantation surgery. It is concluded that cold-induced spasm of the digital arteries is primarily a central, nerve-mediated reflex.