reattach

Reattach is a verb meaning to fasten or connect something to something again after it has become detached. The noun form is reattachment. The term is used in many fields to describe reconnecting components that have been separated, either physically or logically. Etymology: from re- (again) + attach (to fasten).

In medicine, reattachment refers to replantation or reattachment surgery, the surgical restoration of a severed body part or tissue. Microsurgical techniques reconnect blood vessels, nerves, tendons and bones to restore function. Common examples include finger replantation and limb reattachment, though success rates vary with tissue type, injury level, and ischemia time. Outcomes can range from restoration of sensation and movement to partial recovery; complications include infection, tissue necrosis, and need for additional procedures. When reattachment is not possible, alternatives include grafts, reconstruction, or prosthetics. Dental reattachment, where a fractured tooth fragment is bonded back to the tooth, is another widely used application in dentistry.

In computing and technology, reattach describes reconnecting a previously detached session, device, or resource. Examples include reattaching to a terminal multiplexer session (such as tmux or screen), reattaching a remote session after a disconnect, or reattaching a storage volume or virtual machine console to a running environment. The term emphasizes restoring ongoing work or access with minimal disruption.

In data management and networking, reattachment may refer to re-linking data connections or reconnecting clients to servers after transient disconnects, often managed by higher-level software to maintain continuity.