Composite grafts for fingertip amputations: A systematic review protocol

Abstract

HighlightsThere is a lack of evidence for composite grafting for distal finger tip amputation.We present a systematic review protocol on the use of composite grafts.This review will aim to provide clinicians with more guidance.

Outcomes of Composite Grafts for Pediatric Fingertip Amputations: A Systematic Review

“…Only two articles were able to find statistically significant correlations where a lower age of patients (<4 years) leads to better outcomes. 5,6 Borrelli et al also found a correlation between injury mechanism and graft take, where composite grafts performed after crush injuries were more likely to survive. 5 This is concordant with the results observed in our study.…”

“…5,6 Borrelli et al also found a correlation between injury mechanism and graft take, where composite grafts performed after crush injuries were more likely to survive. 5 This is concordant with the results observed in our study. We observed an association of higher composite graft survival with a lower time to operation, but this was based on small number of studies and fingertips.…”

“…A mean time of 4.3 hours was associated with complete graft take, 7.1 hours with partial graft take, and more than 9 hours for failed graft take. Of note however, in four studies, 5,6,23,25 the authors reported no significant difference between time from injury to composite grafting with graft survival. Moiemen and…”

“…The patient reported outcome of fingertip shortening in this study ranged from 1 to 10mm. 5 Uysal et al reported a mean finger shortening of 6.8 mm. 22 Factors Affecting Outcomes of Composite Grafts…”

“…Borrelli et al and Butler et al found that children under 4 years old had higher rates of composite graft survival compared with older children. 5,6 Son et al also found higher rates of graft survival in patients who were 6 years of age and younger compared with patients who were 16 years of age and older, but this difference was not statistically significant. 15 Butler et al specifically noted that those under the age of four had a significantly greater likelihood of composite graft survival compared with patients above the age of four (14 vs. 3%, p ¼ 0.02).…”