Reconstruction of the amputated digits using osseointegrated prosthesis

초록

Autologous reconstruction of amputated digit is usually preferred, however in certain situations application of prostheses would be an attractive alternative. To overcome attachment instability of the conventional prostheses, we tried Branemark osseointegration system to the amputated digits. From August 1996 to July 1998, total 12 cases of amputated digits in 9 patients were reconstructed with osseointegrated prosthesis. The surgery was performed in two stages with 3 to 6 months interval in order to establish firm osseointegration. Three to four weeks after the second stage, the prostheses could be attached to the osseointegrated implants. Most of the patients were satisfied with the prostheses. however two of them showed late infection and resulted in implant removal. As a new attempt, we expect that osseointegrated prosthesis will provide a useful alternative for the reconstruction of amputated digits in selected cases.