Early experiences in organising and running a replantation service

In the 10 months since the establishment of a 24-hour replantation service, the centre at the Klinikum rechts der Isar of the Technical University of Munich has treated 162 amputation injuries; 132 underwent replantation surgery and 117 of these healed successfully. Surgical technique, medication and postoperative treatment with physiotherapy are described. Special emphasis is placed on the difficulties associated with crush and avulsion injuries; in most of them the only solution is an intermediate vein graft to bridge the defect in the vessels.