Evolution and present status of orthopedic microsurgery in Greece

Replantation of complete or incomplete nonviable amputations of digits, hands, and major limbs along with a number of reconstructive microsurgical procedures reflect the work that has been done in the field of orthopedic microsurgery in Greece during the last ten years. The history of trauma microsurgery in Greece starts in the mid-1970s, when the first attempts were directed toward patients with complete or incomplete nonviable amputations of digits and hands. Few cases of major limb replantations without the aid of an operating microscope or other means of magnification have been reported for the years 1965-1975. The first successful digital replantation was performed in 1979 on a female patient with multiple digit amputations; only the little finger was successfully replanted. More than 310 replantations and revascularization procedures have been performed during the past decade, mainly in two major replantation centers, with an overall success rate of 85% for complete and 90% for incomplete nonviable amputations. Reconstructive microsurgical procedures are mainly related to free skin flaps, vascularized bone grafts, toe-to-thumb transfer, and peripheral nerve microsurgery.