[Macroscopic and microscopic appearance of arterial stumps in limb segment amputation]

Until now, it has been assumed that in arterial lesions invagination of the intimal layer occurs. In a thigh and an upper-arm amputation this assumption was scrutinized. No hemorrhage or hypovolemic shock occurred in either case despite total amputation. The brachial and femoral arteries were closed and pulsed visibly within the soft tissue. Histology showed no invagination: the adventitial layer was drawn over the open lumen, which was filled with an extensive thrombus. Therefore, in these cases occlusion of the artery is presumed to occur by means of a fingertrap mechanism of the adventitia and the interaction of collagenous fibers with platelets. This hypothesis will be tested in an animal experiment.