[Complications and failures through negative selection in replantation of amputated extremities]

Two years of experience with our replantation service in Vienna serves to define the criteria by which an amputated member is deemed worthy of replantation. 68 cases are analyzed and the complications and failures are discussed. The criteria took into account the type of injury, the ischemia time, the method adopted to preserve the severed part as well as the functional need of the amputee. We believe that by today's standard of replantation surgery, with the aid of microsurgical methods a responsible approach to indications would improve the functional results. Replantation capability, replantation possibility, replantation readiness and replantation obsession are all discussed.