Replacement of damaged arteries and veins with vein grafts when replanting crushed, amputated fingers.

Two cases are presented in which multiple vein grafts were used to revascularize several digits in hands injured by severe crushes. One case had partial amputations of 4 digits, and the other had 4 complete amputations. After debriding the damaged parts of the vessels, we interposed vein grafts in both the arterial and venous circulations to the digits. Seven of 8 revascularized digits survived. In crushing injuries, it is essential to debride the vessels proximally and distally to where the intima has not been injured. To bridge the gaps, vein grafts can be used successfully where other methods are undesirable or impossible.