Composite Vascularized Autograft Elbow Transplant: A Case Report

A 37-year-old man presented with an absent right elbow joint secondary to trauma, subsequent ankylosis, total elbow arthroplasty (TEA), and TEA explantation after infection. The patient also had a contralateral complete brachial plexus injury, but an intact elbow joint. Given that the patient had a functional right hand/wrist, composite vascularized autograft elbow transplant was performed from left to right upper extremity. Four years postoperatively, the patient could independently complete activities of daily living.

This case is the first to report composite vascularized autograft elbow transplant. Although indications are limited, this case illuminates novel uses of standard techniques for a difficult problem.