Severed body parts: radiologic evaluation following replantation

Sixty-two replantations of totally severed body parts in 25 patients were followed via serial radiography. Most of these replantations were of digits. Uncomplicated digital replantation showed a definite temporal pattern consisting initially of decreasing mineral content followed by increasing mineral content, decreasing soft-tissue swelling, and increasing callus formation. Deviations from the expected patterns were helpful in predicting complications such as infection and/or osteonecrosis.