Amputation after development of collateral circulation. An arteriographic study in rabbits

The vascular changes in the amputation stump after amputation on an extremity which is vascularized by collaterals were studied by arteriography in adult rabbits. Amputation on the crus immediately after ligature of the femoral artery caused a retardation in the development of collaterals and a protracted vasoconstriction in the amputation stump. Osseous plugging of the medullary cavity in the amputation stump counteracted the vasoconstriction, and the development of collaterals was improved. When amputation on the crus was performed 3-6 days after ligature of the femoral artery, immediate function of the collaterals and a rapid dilatation of the arteries in the below knee amputation stump were seen, and 3--4 weeks postoperatively arteriovenous shunts developed in the stump. Amputation 7--10 weeks after ligature of the artery involved a more pronounced shunt development in the amputation stump. After amputation on the femur only slight differences were observed in the development of collaterals and the vascularization in the amputation stump compared with findings after amputation on the crus.