Early vascular grafting to prevent upper extremity necrosis after electric burns: additional commentary on indications for surgery

Early vascular grafting has been used to reestablish circulation to the hand in the treatment of electric injuries of the wrist with arterial damage. Since 1972 this therapy has yielded good results by preventing necrosis of the injured hand and by helping to maintain function. However, the indications and timing for performing this operation still are poorly defined. The surgeon is faced with the difficult task of determining whether the injury is severe enough to affect distal circulation and thereby lead to necrosis. The lack of reliable clinical signs is chiefly responsible for this difficulty; however, the potential for delayed thrombosis of vessels complicates the problem. In this article, indications for early vascular grafting in an electrically injured wrist are discussed based on recent clinical experience, with emphasis on the use of arteriography. A case history involving electric burns of both upper extremities is presented as an illustration.