Utilization of arterial grafts in foot replantation

Abstract

Our subject is a 36-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with bilateral lower extremity amputation at the level of the distal third of the tibia after a car accident. Surgery was planned for below-knee amputation of the right lower extremity and replantation of the left foot. The arteries dissected from the iatrogenically amputated segment were used as grafts to repair vascular gaps during the replantation. The patient's follow-up had been problem free. We concluded that whenever possible, amputated parts unsuitable for replantation should be examined thoroughly and neurovascular structures that might be used as grafts should be preserved.