Traumatic amputation of the upper limb: replantation of the arm.
From 1970 to 1985, 13 patients were treated as a result of an upper limb traumatic sub-amputation. Three of them were younger than 15 years and another one was only 3 years old at the time of the trauma. All the elements involved in the treatment of the lesions are described. When it was possible, an end-to-end anastomosis was used for the repair of arteries and veins. Otherwise, when the loss of tissue was marked, a saphenous vein graft was used. The fracture was treated, when possible, with an intramedullary fixation, surely less traumatizing for soft tissues than a plate. The repair of the nerve was at times simultaneous at other times delayed. The followup has shown a good functional restoration of the limb and of the joints affected by the trauma and a normal development of the patients in terms of age.
D'Addato
M
M
Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Bologna, Italy.
Pedrini
L
L
Bertoni
M
M
Stella
A
A
Vitacchiano
G
G
Sardella
L
L
Ciuccarelli
C
C
Maggi
G
G
Poppi
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012092:Replantation / Q000379:methods*