Limb Replantation Research Articles

Development of hand surgery in China

中国手外科事业的开拓者和奠基人--王澍寰院士首先创建了手外科专业,不断创新技术,并培养了一批手外科人才.之后,京,津、沪三地相继建立手外科专业.1978年以后的中国大地迎来了手外科医学的春天,出版了中国第一部手外科专业经典-- .1984年,中华医学会骨科分会成立了手外科学组,1994年改名为中华医学会手外科学会.1985年 正式创刊,1993年升格为 .同时临床工作中,断肢(指)再植成活率不断提高.在断肢再植、足趾移植及皮瓣移植之后,又出现了前臂皮瓣(杨果凡)、手再造(于仲嘉)及健侧颈7移位(顾玉东)三颗实用而又奇特的花朵.2000年9月南方医院裴国献教授成功地开展了2例异体肢体移植(世界第3、4例).中国手外科的历史进程虽然不长,但成就裴然,相信中国手外科事业今后一定会有更快的发展,一定会取得更大的成就。

Replantation in trauma

Following the first successful digital replant in 1968, replantation after traumatic amputation of the upper limb has become the norm in carefully selected patients. With good communication between the receiving emergency department and microsurgical team, the correct patients can be given appropriate priority and managed smoothly through their complex treatment. This article reviews the indications, initial management, surgical techniques, complications and the ex pected outcomes for upper limb replantation. This will help the nonmicrosurgeon explain to patients who have had an amputation the process of replantation and what they might expect after transfer to the microsurgical team, and it gives an overview of replantation for junior trainee microsurgeons.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy study of proton metabolite level changes in sensorimotor cortex after upper limb replantation–revascularization

We aimed to investigate the changes in proton metabolite levels at the motor and somatosensory cortex by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) after upper extremity replantation or revascularization. Nine patients who referred to our clinic suffering from major total (two) and subtotal (seven) amputation of the upper extremity were enrolled in this study. Mean time value between the injury and operation was 5.1 h. Mean follow-up period or mean time between the injury and MRS analysis was 26.2 months (ranging from 7 to 41 months). Voxels (TR: 2000; TE: 136 ms) were placed onto locations in the bilateral precentral and postcentral cortex area of the cerebral hemispheres that represent the upper extremity. Contralateral sides of the brain hemisphere that represent the injured extremity were accounted as control groups. Metabolite ratios [NAA (N-acetyl aspartate)/Cr (creatine) and Cho (choline)/Cr] of the motor and somatosensory cortex were calculated. The NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr metabolite ratios between the two groups were found to be insignificant, and these results may indicate that there is no remarkable somatosensorial cortex disruption or demyelination in these patients. Fifty-six percent of patients were found as functional according to Chen's scale.

Can Indications for Lower Limb Replantation and Revascularization be Expanded with Simultaneous Free-Flap Transfer for Limb Salvage?

High-energy trauma from road accidents and work-related injuries is the most common cause of lower-limb traumatic amputations. Many of these cases require extensive debridement and substantial bone shortening for primary closure because of crushing and/or avulsion of the involved parts. Since 1998, the authors have replanted or revascularized five lower limbs in five patients. Free tissue transfers have been used to cover soft-tissue defects during replantation and revascularization in all patients. The numbers and kinds of free flaps include one latissimus dorsi muscle, two transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM), and two anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flaps. Survival of the replanted and revascularized limbs and transferred flaps was obtained in four patients. Below-knee amputation was performed because of flap necrosis and extensive infection in one patient. Simultaneous free-tissue transfers may be used simultaneously with lower limb replantation or revascularization to obtain functional extremities in appropriately selected patients. The indications for lower limb salvage may be enhanced and successful results may be obtained in one stage, with low complication rates and shorter hospital stays. The authors report their experience with simultaneous free tissue transfers and lower limb replantation or revascularization.

Bilateral High Upper Limb Replantation in a Child

Bilateral high amputation of upper limbs in a child is a very unusual injury. In the present case, although the amputation was high and significant avulsion was present, the age of the child (6 years) made the case both challenging and encouraging--challenging because of the anticipated systemic effects of reperfusion, and encouraging because the long-term prognosis is always more encouraging in a child.

Bilateral High Upper Limb Replantation in a Child

Bilateral High Upper Limb Replantation in a Child

The characteristics of acute rejection after limb allotransplantation in rats--an experimental study.

To study the characteristics of acute rejection after limb allotransplantation, 29 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups, with 15 rats in control group and 14 rats in experimental group. Each rat in control group underwent limb replantation. Each rat in experimental group received limb transplantation from Wistar rat. No immunosuppressive drugs were used after operation. The circulation of the transplanted limb, time and signs of rejection, histopathological changes in the tissues of the limb graft when rejected and survival time of limb grafts were evaluated. In the control group, no signs of rejection were observed, the circulation of each replanted limb was normal, it could survive for a longer time. The experimental group showed clinical signs of rejection (sub dermal edema and erythema) after a mean time of 3.36+/-1.15 days, and the mean survival time of the allografts was only 7+/-0.78 days. Histopathological examination showed most violent rejection reaction in skin. It is concluded that with Wistar-to-SD limb transplantation without use of immunosuppression, rejection of the grafts would occur after a mean time of 3.36+/-1.15 days; the earliest signs of rejection were edema and erythema of the skin, skin being the most representative component of limb graft rejection.

Hand surgery training

Training of the hand surgeon HAND SURGEON A CONCEPT: The hand surgeon is supposed to be in charge of all the hand lesions regarding, skeleton, muscles, tendons, nerves and vessels. He has to be able to insure reparation and coverage of all of them. So he is involved in all the structures, which insure integrity and function of the hand. PURPOSE AND WAYS OF TRAINING: To obtain the asked ability, the hand surgeon training has to be global and sustained by two underlying surgical specialities: orthopedic surgery and plastic and reconstructive surgery. From 2000 after many years of dealings, a Right to the Title in Hand Surgery was born. This Right to the Title wants to be the formal recognition of the specific training of the hand surgeon. For the well-recognized ancient hand surgeons they need to be confirmed by one's peers. Now a day the hand surgeon has to satisfy to this specific training: Passed the complete training and exam of the Orthopedic or Plastic surgery board. Spent at least 6 months as resident in the other underlying specialty. Passed a microsurgery examination. Passed one of the four national Hand Surgery diplomas (DIU/Inter-Universitary Diploma). The examinations have been harmonized. A common formation is delivered regarding hand surgery, the way of examination is the same and the formation is 2 years long. The final exam is presented in front of board of examiners where a teacher of one of the other three national diplomas is present. Spent at least 2 years in a formative hand surgery unit, listed by the French College of Hand Surgeons, as senior surgeon. Those requirements are heavy to assume and need a heavy personal involvement. That seems to be necessary to have an ability level as high as possible. Emergency surgery practice is absolutely necessary in this training. All the 17 university formative hand surgery units listed by the French College of Hand Surgeons are members of the FESUM (European Federation of the Emergency Hand Units). Unfortunately it is non-sufficient to train the necessary number of hand surgeons needed in France today. So we try to obtain from the authority the formal recognition of a training period in private practice. Eleven out of the 28 hand units listed as formative by the French College of Hand Surgeons are in private practice and may be recognized as formative in the hand surgeon training. That needs to create an official agreement between university and private Units. This part of the training is yet accepted by the Right to the Title commission for a 6-month training period. But this needs a legal modification or adaptation of the private units legal status so they will be able to offer a quite equivalent conditions of training. Now a days 233 surgeons in France passed the Right to the Title. Among them, the oldest do not have emergency practice any more. So unfortunately, out of 1,400,000 hand injuries a year in France, only few are actually cared by hand surgeons. The emergency training needs at least a three to four senior surgeons team, operating and caring emergencies, 24 h a day, 365 days a year. They need to be surrounded by high-level technical facilities for this type of surgery. Only this type of unit may have a frequent severe hand traumatology practice, especially regarding microsurgery. But on the other hand a less complex hand unit operating only planed surgery and less complicated emergencies, may also be definitively formative. This only depends on the hand surgeon's qualification. It is only with a very demanding and high-level training program that our credibility as hand surgeon may be definitively established. The mainstay of this training is the combined action of the FESUM, the French College of Hand Surgeons and the DIU diploma. The Right to the Title formally confirms that training. For university or private unit, to be a member of the FESUM, must continue to guarantee a high level training regarding emergencies as in number as in complexity. We proposed as minimum level of practice (a year) to be a formative hand surgery unit: 10-15 hand and upper limb replantations; 25-30 very severe hand injuries (revascularization etc.); at least 1000-1500 hand surgery procedures.

Rehabilitation after replantation

Limb replantation represents a particular surgical challenge. Rehabilitation and functional integration of the patient into everyday life has proven to be as equally important as the operation itself. This requires intensive and long-term cooperation between surgeon, therapist, and patient since replanted limbs without restoration of function are of no use. Besides physiotherapy, ergotherapy is highly important for this since it helps to reactivate daily activities.Also, tactile gnosis and protecting nervous sensibility and motor function can be improved by ergotherapy. With the help of special devices, adjustments,and psychological care, ergotherapy also supports the patient's reintegration into his former social environment.

Upper limb replantations 10 year analysis (1992–2001)

Upper limb replantations 10 year analysis (1992–2001)

Message from the Scientific Program Chair

[Author Photo]It gives me great pleasure to discuss the exciting scientific program from the 12th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society for Peripheral Nerve, which was held January 11-12, 2003 in Kauai'i, Hawaii. Coming on the heels of a previous year's successful combined ASPN/ASRM/AAHS meeting in Cancun, Mexico, the 2003 meeting had a similar format. The combined program began on Saturday morning with five concomitant instructional courses by international experts on: (1) thoratic outlet syndrome; (2) brachial plexus injuries; (3) repetitive use disorders of the upper extremity; (4) multidisciplinary pain management; and (5) decision-making for major limb replantation.

The Pathophysiology of Skeletal Muscle Ischemia and the Reperfusion Syndrome: A Review

There are two components to the reperfusion syndrome, which follows extremity ischemia. The local response, which follows reperfusion. consists of limb swelling with its potential for aggravating tissue injury and the systemic response, which results in multiple organ failure and death. It is apparent that skeletal muscle is the predominant tissue in the limb but also the tissue that is most vulnerable to ischemia. Physiological and anatomical studies show that irreversible muscle cell damage starts after 3 h of ischemia and is nearly complete at 6 h. These muscle changes are paralleled by progressive microvascular damage. Microvascular changes appear to follow rather than precede skeletal muscle damage as the tolerance of capillaries to ischemia vary with the tissue being reperfused. The more severe the cellular damage the greater the microvascular changes and with death of tissue microvascular flow ceases within a few hours—the no reflow phenomenon. At this point tissue swelling ceases. The inflammatory responses following reperfusion varies greatly. When muscle tissue death is uniform, as would follow tourniquet ischemia or limb replantation, little inflammatory response results. In most instances of reperfusion, which follows thrombotic or embolic occlusion, there will be a variable degree of ischemic damage in the zone where collateral blood flow is possible. The extent of this region will determine the magnitude of the inflammatory response, whether local or systemic. Only in this region will therapy be of any benefit, whether fasciotomy to prevent pressure occlusion of the microcirculation, or anticoagulation to prevent further microvascular thrombosis. Since many of the inflammatory mediators are generated by the act of clotting, anticoagulation will have additional benefit by decreasing the inflammatory response. In instances in which the process involves the bulk of the lower extremity, amputation rather than attempts at revascularization may be the most prudent course to prevent the toxic product in the ischemic limb from entering the systemic circulation.

Early monitoring of lymphocyte subsets in patients with hand allotransplantation

LONG-TERM SURVIVAl of animal limb allografts with combined use of new immunosuppressants and encouraging results of autologous limb replantations led us to clinical application of hand transplantation in human beings. Since the first human hand transplantation on September 23, 1998, in France and the subsequent hand transplantation on January 20, 1999, in the United States, we had performed simultaneously two unilateral hand transplantations on September 21, 1999, in the People’s Republic of China. We measured the lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of patients with hand transplantation to describe changes in the populations of and to assess the utility of dose adjustment of antithymocyte globulin (ATG) by monitoring the CD3 T-cell count.

Cross-limb vascular shunting as an auxiliary to major limb revascularisation

A 40-year-old male motorcyclist suffered a near-total amputation of his right foot. His limb was successfully salvaged with the aid of a cross-leg vascular shunt. Temporary arterial flow from the contralateral limb was transmitted via a pressure monitor tube to perfuse the avulsed part. This allowed the surgeon to carry out unhurried wound debridement, dissection of vital structures and skeletal fixation. The cannulation port was placed well distal to the proposed definitive anas<$>tomosis, to reduce damage to the endothelium. This procedure could be a valuable adjunct in major limb replantation, particularly in cases of prolonged ischaemia.

Resection replantation of the upper limb for aggressive malignant tumors.

Stage IIB malignant tumors of the upper limb have been traditionally treated by amputation or disarticulation. There have been isolated reports on the technique of segmental resection of the tumor-bearing segment complete with the skin, and replanting the distal arm or forearm with or without neurovascular repair. The present paper describes four cases in which a wide resection margin was achieved in all by resecting the affected cylinder of the limb. Functional reconstruction was performed by appropriate tendon transfer. The main vessels and nerves were dealt with according to the findings revealed by preoperative investigations. If they had to be sacrificed, end-to-end suture was performed, but if the main nerves could be spared, it greatly enhanced the functional outcome. Local and systemic recurrences occurred in one case, and systemic recurrence occurred in another case. The other two cases remained disease-free at more than 4 years' follow-up. This operation is as radical as amputation, while the esthetic and functional results are equivalent to those of resection-arthrodesis.

Lower limb replantations: indications and a new scoring system.

The need for reconstruction of lower limb amputations is increasing, due to high-energy trauma in road accidents and work-related injuries. The indication for lower limb replantation is still controversial. Compared with upper limb replantations, indications are more select due to the frequent complications in lower limb salvage procedures, such as severe general complications or local complications such as necrosis, infections, nonunions, the need for secondary lengthening, or other reconstructive procedures. The satisfactory results given by artificial prosthesis, such as quicker recovery time and fewer secondary procedures, also contribute to the higher degree of selection for lower limb replantation candidates. Since 1993, we have replanted 14 amputations of the lower limb in 12 patients, including 2 bilateral cases. Although survival of the replanted segment was obtained in all patients, 5 cases were subsequently amputated for severe secondary complications. Of the remaining 9 cases, evaluated by means of Chen criteria, 7 had good results (3 Chen I and 4 Chen II), 1 sufficient (Chen III), and 1 poor (Chen IV). The best results were obtained in young patients. Our experience led us to examine the necessity for careful, objective patient selection. We developed a score evaluation system by modifying the international classifying method for severe limb traumas (mangled extremity severity score, or MESS system). This relatively simple system, based on the retrospective study of our cases, considers several parameters (patient's age, general conditions, level and type of lesion, time of injury, and associated lesions), giving each one a score. The total score gives the indication for replantation, predicts the functional outcome, and facilitates decision-making.

Microvascular Anastomosis of Rabbit's Jugular Vein with Titanium Clip

Purpose : We compared the results of micovascular anastomoses using a titanium clip and a conventional suture method to determine the possibility of clinical applying titanium clips for the anastomosis of small vessels. Materials and Methods : In 15 New Zealand white rabbits, jugular veins on both sides were cross-sectioned. One side was repaired with a titanium clip and the other with 10-0 nylon sutures. Macroscopic and microscopic results of anastomoses were evaluated. Results : All of the anastomsed vessels were patent at postoperative 1 day, 1 week and 1, 2 and 3 months. The time required for vessel repair was 16.0 minutes for suture repair and 8.9 minutes for clips. Microscopic evaluation revealed that the titanium clips didn’t penetrate the intima of the vein. Foreign body reaction was less at the clipped anastomoses sites than at those with suture repair. Conclusion : Microvascular anastomosis can be performed more rapidly with titanium clips than conventional suture repair in operations of major limb replantation or free flap surgery where ischemic time is critical. This device minimizes intimal injury and foreign body reaction, and could reduce the failure rate after microvascular anastomosis.

Overview of Extremity Replantation in Taiwan by the National Health Insurance Database from 1996 to 2000

This study is the first epidemiological report of limb replantation surgery concerning the whole population of Taiwan. The materials are based on the 1:20-sampled National Healthcare Insurance (NHI) Research Database from 1996 to 2000.368 and 236 patients were extracted from the hospitalization datasets, based on the ICD procedure codes and the detailed medical orders respectively. 77.1% and 14.0% of cases received one-and two-digital replantation. The average operating times are 3.9, 5.5, 7.9, and 10.2 hours from one- to four- digit replantations. Average length of hospital stay, surgical and total fees were 12.5 days, $48,585, and $125,660 in medical centers, in comparison with 9.9 days, $36,786-$38,962, and $60,845 to $71,838 (all in NT dollars) in other hospitals. The wide variations of fees could not be explained simply by the demographic characteristics of patients and hospitals, or by the number of digits involved. These data provided reference for further clinical researchers and policy makers.

Prevention of Muscle and Nerve Damage after a Prolonged Ischemia/Reperfusion Syndrome: An Experimental Animal Model

Rocca, M., Nicoli Aldini, N., Giardino, R. and Caliceti, P. 2001. Prevention of muscle and nerve damage after a prolonged ischemia/reperfusion syndrome: an experimental animal model. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 197–204. An experimental, rat model, of limb replantation was developed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of SOD and mPEG-SOD (native and modified with polyethylene glycole superoxide dismutase) or PAcM-SOD (polyacriloilmorpholine superoxide dismutase) in preventing ischemia- reperfusion damage. In particular, the current research focused on the technical procedure employed for the study of the newly activated motor end-plates after ischemia/reperfusion injury. The experiment was carried out on CO Wistar rats, randomly divided into four groups, submitted to 4 hours and 30 minutes of ischemia of the left hindlimb, followed by reperfusion. Results showed a better limb survival in the mPEG-SOD group (87%) in comparison to other three groups (p<0.05).

Effect of total venous occlusion on capillary flow and necrosis in skeletal muscle.

Limb replantation and microvascular transfer of flaps are sometimes complicated by postoperative venous thrombosis. Total venous occlusion can lead to complete shutdown of microvascular perfusion, resulting in failure of the transfer or replantation. Once venous return stops, it must be restored within a critical period of time for tissue survival. The purpose of this experiment was to delineate this critical period of time at which no reflow and irreversible muscle necrosis occurs by the use of a rat gracilis flap microcirculation model. The gracilis muscle of 40 male Wistar rats (135.3 +/- 37.2 g) was elevated on its vascular pedicle and mounted on a raised platform for videomicroscopic analysis. Animals were randomly assigned to one of four groups: (1) sham (no total venous occlusion), (2) 10 minutes of total venous occlusion, (3) 30 minutes of total venous occlusion, and (4) 60 minutes of total venous occlusion. Total venous occlusion was established by placing a microvascular clamp across the femoral vein at the junction of the gracilis pedicle. The number of flowing capillaries in five consecutive high-power fields (832x) were counted at baseline and at 5, 15, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes, and 24 hours after reperfusion. At 24 hours after reperfusion, the gracilis muscles were harvested and stained with nitroblue tetrazolium. Percentage of muscle necrosis was measured by using computer planimetry. The data were reported as mean +/- standard error of mean and were compared between groups by analysis of variance and appropriate post hoc comparisons. Total venous occlusion for 10, 30, and 60 minutes showed a significant decrease in the number of flowing capillaries through 24-hour postreversal. There was a significant drop (p < 0.01) in the number of flowing capillaries from 30 minutes of total venous occlusion to 60 minutes of total venous occlusion at all times. Muscle necrosis was significantly increased in all three groups of total venous occlusion compared with the sham group (36.1 +/- 1.7 percent, 45.5 +/- 3.4 percent, 74.1 +/- 4.7 percent versus 14.3 +/- 1.7 percent, and p < 0.01). These results indicate that irreversible tissue damage occurs in a very short time interval (60 minutes) in this model, making the early detection of venous occlusion critical to the successful correction of this complication.