Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026

Vascularized Composite Upper Limb Allograft Harvesting for Proximal Arm Allotransplantation
Published on: June 13, 2025
Procurement of hand and arm allografts
Curtis L Cetrulo1, Stephen J Kovach
1*Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, PA †Division of Plastic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.
Abstract:
Upper extremity transplantation has been at the forefront of vascularized composite allotransplantation. There have been more hand and upper extremity transplants than any other kinds of vascularized composite allotransplantation. However, it is a new and evolving field. Reconstructive surgeons are relative newcomers to the field of transplantation, and the procurement of upper extremity allografts has many subtleties that will differ depending on the intended recipient. However, there are certain principles that can be adhered to that this review serves to elucidate.

