Digital arterial injury leading to gangrene of the thumb

Abstract EN

An unusual case of a blunt and penetrating injury to the thumb is described.

A laterally displaced epiphyses of the first metacarpal divided the digital artery and a penetrating injury in the first web space inflicted on the medial digital artery resulting in a total vascular interruption leading to gangrene and ultimate amputation.

Such injuries are rare in children but proper assessment and examination could have prevented the end result.