Automatic milking apparatus for the insufficient venous drainage of the replanted digit.

An automatic milking apparatus composed of a finger attachment and a pump to push out the air was devised in order to perform the forced drainage from replanted digits with insufficient venous drainage. Seven replanted digits with insufficient venous drainage after replantation were applied, and remarkable improvement was found in five digits. An interesting case is reported in which a replanted digit without venous anastomosis survived as a consequence of applying the milking apparatus. The advantages of our milking apparatus are also discussed.