Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

History of replantation: From miracle to microsurgery

  • Surgical Sketch
  • Published:
World Journal of Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Severed body parts, from fingers to extremities, are now being routinely reattached at medical centers around the world. The dream of replantation traces its rich history from miracles and legends to early laboratory experiments and clinical attempts, culminating in today's commonplace procedure.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Tosatti, B.: Transplantation and reimplantation in the arts. Surgery 75:389, 1974

    Google Scholar 

  2. Melinsky, M.A.H.: Healing Miracles. London, A.R. Mowbray, 1968

    Google Scholar 

  3. Gibson, T.: Early free grafting: the restitution of parts completely separated from the body. Br. J. Plast. Surg. 18:1, 1965

    Google Scholar 

  4. Brennan, W.A.: On Wounds and Fractures. Chicago, Charles C Thomas, 1923

    Google Scholar 

  5. Fioravanti, L.: Tesaro Della Vita Humana. Venice, Appreso gli Heredi di M Sessa, 1570

    Google Scholar 

  6. Converse, J.M.: Introduction to plastic surgery. In Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, J.M. Converse, editor. Philadelphia, Saunders, 1964

    Google Scholar 

  7. Carpue, J.C.: Account of Two Successful Operations for Restoring a Lost Nose from the Integuments of the Forehead. London, Longmans, 1816

    Google Scholar 

  8. Molinetti, A.: Dissertationes Anatomico-Pathologicae. Venice, P. Balleonium, 1675

    Google Scholar 

  9. Garengeot, R.J.C. de: Traité des Opérations de Chirurgie. Paris, Huart, 1731

    Google Scholar 

  10. Balfour, W.: Two cases, with observations, demonstrative of the powers of nature to reunite parts which have been, by accident, totally separated from the animal system. Edinburgh Med. Surg. J. 10:421, 1814

    Google Scholar 

  11. Bailey, H.W.: Case of reunion of the first phalanx of the middle finger. Edinb. Med. Surg. J. 11:317, 1815

    Google Scholar 

  12. Fletcher, E.B.: Cases of reproduction and reunion of part of the finger after accidents; and case of absorption of the water in hydrocele from mental agitation. Edinb. Med. Surg. J. 11:450, 1815

    Google Scholar 

  13. Hunter, T.: Case of reunion of the thumb. Edinb. Med. Surg. J. 11:452, 1815

    Google Scholar 

  14. Braid, J.: Case of reunion of a separated portion of the finger. Edinb. Med. Surg. J. 12:428, 1816

    Google Scholar 

  15. Marley, M.: Lond. Med. Phys. J. 45:134, 1821

    Google Scholar 

  16. Houlton, J.: Lond. Med. Repository Rev. 2:258, 1826

    Google Scholar 

  17. Hartshorne, H.: Notes of hospital cases: union of separated flesh. Am. J. Med. Sci. 19:108, 1850

    Google Scholar 

  18. Denny, J.: Re-union of fingers after their total separation by incision. Lancet 2:295, 1849

    Google Scholar 

  19. Douglas, B., Foster, J.H.: Union of severed arterial trunks and canalization without suture or prosthesis. Ann. Surg. 157:944, 1964

    Google Scholar 

  20. Freilinger, G.: Reimplantation in traumatic amputations. Klin. Med. 21:386, 1966

    Google Scholar 

  21. Halstead, W.S., Reichert, F.L., Reid, M.R.: Replantation of entire limbs without suture of vessels. Trans. Am. Surg. Assoc. 40:160, 1922

    Google Scholar 

  22. Carrel, A., Guthrie, C.C.: Complete amputation of the thigh, with replantation. Am. J. Med. Sci. 131:297, 1906

    Google Scholar 

  23. Carrel, A., Guthrie, C.C.: Results of replantation of thigh. Science 23:393, 1906

    Google Scholar 

  24. Höpfner, E.: Ueber gefassnacht, Gefässtransplantationen und replantation von amputirten extremitäten. Arch. Klin. Chir. 70:417, 1903

    Google Scholar 

  25. Lapchinsky, A.G.: Recent results of experimental transplantation of preserved limbs and kidneys and possible use of this technique in clinical practice. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 87:539, 1960

    Google Scholar 

  26. Snyder, C.C., Knowles, R.P., Mayer, P.W., Hobbs, J.C., II: Extremity replantation. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 26:251, 1960

    Google Scholar 

  27. Eiken, O., Nabseth, D.C., Mayer, R.F., Deterling, R.A., Jr.: Limb replantation. Arch. Surg. 88:48, 1964

    Google Scholar 

  28. Shaar, C.M., Kreuz, F.P.: Treatment of fractures and bone and joint surgery with the Stader reduction and fixation splint. Surg. Clin. North Am. 22:1537, 1942

    Google Scholar 

  29. Hall, R.H.: Whole upper extremity transplant for human beings: general plans of procedure and operative technic. Ann. Surg. 120:12, 1944

    Google Scholar 

  30. Malt, R.A., McKhann, C.F.: Replantation of severed arms. J.A.M.A. 189:716, 1964

    Google Scholar 

  31. Smith, R.J., Malt, R.A., Harris, W.H., Remensnyder, J.P.: Long-term results of upper-limb replantation. In Microsurgery for Major Limb Reconstruction, J.R. Urbaniak, editor. St. Louis, Mosby, 1987, pp. 30–37

    Google Scholar 

  32. Chen, Z.W., Chen, Y.C., Pao, Y.S.: Salvage of the forearm following complete amputation: report of a case. Chin. Med. J. 82:632, 1963

    Google Scholar 

  33. Nylen, C.O.: Microscope in aural surgery, its first use and later development. Acta Otolaryngol. (Stockh.) 116:226, 1954

    Google Scholar 

  34. Peritt, R.A.: Recent advances in corneal surgery. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Course 280, 1950

  35. Jacobson, J.H., Suarez, E.L.: Microsurgery and anastomosis of the small vessels. Surg. Forum 11:243, 1960

    Google Scholar 

  36. Salmon, P.A., Assimocopoulos, C.A.: Microsurgery: review of the literature and description of a modified technique. Minn. Med. 47:679, 1964

    Google Scholar 

  37. Buncke, H.J., Jr., Schulz, W.P.: Experimental digital amputation and replantation. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 36:62, 1965

    Google Scholar 

  38. Cobbett, J.R.: Microvascular surgery. Surg. Clin. North Am. 47:521, 1967

    Google Scholar 

  39. Kleinert, H.E., Kasdan, M.L., Romero, J.L.: Small blood vessel anastomosis for salvage of severely injured upper extremity. J. Bone Joint Surg. [Am.] 45:788, 1963

    Google Scholar 

  40. Kamatsu, S., Tamai, S.: Successful replantation of a completely cut-off thumb: case report. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 42:374, 1968

    Google Scholar 

  41. American Replantation Mission to China: Replantation surgery in China. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 52:476, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  42. Weiland, A.J., Raskin, K.B.: Philosophy of replantation 1976–1990. Microsurgery 11:223, 1990

    Google Scholar 

  43. Chen, Z.W., Quian, Y.Q., Hu, J.Z.: Extremity replantation. World J. Surg. 2:513, 1978

    Google Scholar 

  44. Doyle, J.R., Seitz, W.H., Jr., McBride, M.: Replantation. Hand Clin. 5:415, 1989

    Google Scholar 

  45. Goldner, R.D., Stevanovic, M.V., Nunley, J.A., Urbaniak, J.R.: Digital replantation at the level of the distal interphalangeal joint and the distal phalanx. J. Hand Surg. 14:214, 1989

    Google Scholar 

  46. Kleinert, H.E., Jablon, M., Tsai, T.M.: An overview of replantation and results of 347 replants in 245 patients. J. Trauma 20:390, 1980

    Google Scholar 

  47. Morrison, W.A., O'Brien, B.M., MacLeod, A.M.: Evaluation of digital replantation: a review of 100 cases. Orthop. Clin. North Am. 8:295, 1977

    Google Scholar 

  48. Urbaniak, J.R., Roth, J.H., Nunley, J.A., Goldner, R.D., Koman, L.A.: The results of replantation after amputation of a single finger. J. Bone Joint Surg. [Am.] 67:611, 1985

    Google Scholar 

  49. Weiland, A.J., Villareal-Rios, A., Kleinert, H.E., Kutz, J., Atasoy, E., Lister, G.: Replantation of digits and hands: analysis of surgical techniques and functional results in 71 patients with 86 replantations. J. Hand Surg. 2:1, 1977

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kocher, M.S. History of replantation: From miracle to microsurgery. World J. Surg. 19, 462–467 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00299192

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00299192

Keywords

Navigation