Treatment of fingertip amputations with bone exposure. A comparative study between surgical and conservative treatment methods.

The long-term results following 36 surgically and 34 conservatively treated fingertip amputations with bone exposure are presented in a retrospective study. Surgery did not produce better results even though it was performed by skilled hand surgeons. The advantages of the conservative (mainly adhesive zinc tape) treatment method are pointed out. The regenerative capacity of the amputated fingertip is shown and discussed.