title: Above-elbow (supracondylar) arm transplantation: clinical considerations and surgical technique.
abstract: Vascularized composite allotransplantation, also known as "Reconstructive Transplantation" is becoming more commonplace worldwide. Hand and upper extremity transplantation make up the majority of clinical vascularized composite allotransplantation cases performed so far. As success with reconstructive transplantation becomes more common, more challenging examples of limb loss are being addressed, including above-elbow, or "supracondylar" upper extremity transplants. Although very few of these cases have been performed worldwide, the authors' experience includes the only 2 cases performed in the United States at the time of this report. This article will discuss indications, challenges, surgical technique, expected outcomes, and alternative technologies for treatment of limb loss above the elbow.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine †Curtis National Hand Center, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD.
authors.forename: Jaimie T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Shores
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.forename: W P Andrew
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D001132:Arm / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018579:Patient Selection; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods; D063986:Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation / Q000379:methods*