title: [Research progress on preservation of severed limbs].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To define how to preserve the severed limbs to prolong the period of replantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The original articles about preservation of severed limbs in recent years were reviewed, it was suggested that the period of replantation was determined by the injury of skeletal muscle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When the environment of severed limbs was changed, the injures of skeletal muscle could be decreased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After the severed limbs are reasonably preserved, the period of replantation may be prolonged.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, DaPing Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China 400042.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Z Y
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005121:Extremities; D006801:Humans; D009926:Organ Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D012092:Replantation