[Classification of total and subtotal amputations]

Up to now the succes rates in replantation surgery which are reported in the literature do not include the functional results. To compare the final functional results it is necessary to have a common international classification of what is a complete amputation and what is a incomplete one. It is then important to compare only similar subtotal amputations. In this paper we suggest a definition and classification of amputations in the upper extremity in the following way: type I....bone type II....extensor tendons type III....flexor tendons type IV....palmar digital nerves type V....skin A subtotal amputation will intakt flexor and extensor tendons as well as palmar nerves should be classified as "type II, III. IV".