Between 1977 and 1986, 201 patients underwent replantations at the Accident Hospital in Salzburg. Of these 201 cases, 112 (55.7%) were work-related accidents. The first 47 cases were evaluated by two independent experts, comparing the actual occupational disability, i.e. impairment of earning capacity after replantation with the probable occupational disability payment had the replantation not been performed. In thirty-nine out of forty-seven cases, replantation had led to lower disability benefits.