The Relationship between Cold Intolerance and Cutaneous Blood Flow in Digital Replantation Patients

Abstract

Twenty-one patients with replanted digits were examined. An assessment of cold symptoms relating to their replants was made and the pulp two-point discrimination measured. Cutaneous blood flow was then monitored using a laser Doppler flowmeter. Recordings were taken at room temperature and following cooling. In all cases but one flow decreased with lowering of temperature in both replanted and normal digits. In eleven cases (52%) replant flow fell to noticeably lower levels compared to normal digits, but in the remainder this difference was not apparent. The presence or absence of cold intolerance did not correlate with flow levels or with two-point discrimination measurements.