Replantation-Epidemiology of Upper Extremity Replantation Surgery in the US

Epidemiology of Upper Extremity Replantation Surgery in the US

Pdf Summary

Replantation of severed body parts, such as fingers or hands, has become a common procedure in the management of hand trauma. However, due to the resources required for successful replantation, there may be a need for regionalization of replantation care. This study aims to analyze the geographic distribution of upper extremity replant procedures, patient demographics and injury characteristics, and the characteristics of the facilities performing these procedures. Using the National Inpatient Sample of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project from 2001, 2004, and 2007, the study identified a total of 9,407 patients treated for upper extremity amputation, with 1,361 of them undergoing replantation. Patients undergoing replantation were generally younger compared to those who did not undergo replantation. Hospital charges and length of stay were significantly higher for patients with replantation compared to those without. The study found that patients treated at teaching facilities were more likely to undergo replantation than those at non-teaching facilities. Large and urban hospitals were also more likely to perform replantation. Moreover, the study found that self-pay, Medicare, and Medicaid patients had lower replantation rates than patients with other payer status. The results show that patients who undergo replantation are generally younger, have higher hospital charges, and longer hospital stays compared to patients who do not undergo replantation. Treatment at large, urban, and teaching facilities is associated with higher replantation rates. Payer status also appears to play a role in replantation rates. The study suggests the need for further research to better understand the relationship between patient and injury characteristics, treatment location, and outcomes in order to effectively allocate resources for replantation procedures.

Keywords

replantation

severed body parts

fingers

hands

hand trauma

upper extremity

geographic distribution

patient demographics

injury characteristics

facilities performing procedures