Extra-anatomical vascular bypass and external skeletal fixation in limb replantation.

The scientific background for limb replantation began 75 yr ago with the work of Hopfner and of Carrel and Guthrie. Thirty-five years ago, Hall indicated that the techniques were available, but it was not until 17 yr ago that Malt and McKhann performed the first successful replantation of a limb in man. Since then, the techniques have become more sophisticated and guidelines have been formulated. Many successful replantations have been reported. We present two children with partial amputation of a lower limb. Both had severe soft tissue and bone damage sufficient to contraindicate replantation by conventional criteria. Wound sepsis resulted in failure of replantation of the first child's limb replanted by conventional methods. The second child's limb was salvaged. Extra-anatomical vascular bypass graft separated the critical vascular anastomoses from the open contaminated wound. External skeletal fixation allowed aggressive open wound treatment. In selected cases, these two techniques would appear to increase the chances for successful limb replantation.