by F Schuind (Erasme University Hospital, Belgium) , S de Fontaine (Erasme University Hospital, Belgium) , J Van Geertruyden (Erasme University Hospital, Belgium) , & P N Soucacos (University of Ioannina, Greece)

Advances made in microsurgical techniques during the last three decades have dramatically improved the treatment of complex limb injuries, such as a closed fracture covered by healthy tissue and a complex open fracture of the tibia. Microvascular transfers from the foot have revolutionized the treatment of digital amputations, and vascularized bone transfers are used in various indications.

The microvascular techniques are still evolving. Many imaginative new flaps are being proposed to meet precisely the functional requirements of the various defects. Alternative anastomotic techniques are being investigated and the no-flow phenomenon has been extensively studied. Allotransplantation may be feasible in the future.

This unique book is a result of the exchange of ideas among clinicians of various specialties noted for their innovations and basic researchers involved with the problems of microvascular reconstruction of upper and lower extremities. While most of the chapters are invited contributions, some are based on presentations made during an international symposium held in Brussels, Belgium, in 1997.

• Upper and Lower Extremity Microvascular Reconstructions, Genval/Brussels, Belgium, March 1997 (F A Schuind)
• An Introduction to Microvascular Reconstructions:
  • Organization of the Microsurgery Team (S de Fontaine)
  • The Use of Magnifying Loupes Instead of the Microscope in Microsurgery (P Gréant)
  • Microvascular Mechanical Anastomoses in Upper Extremity Reconstruction. Mechanical Microvascular Anastomotic System (M Lanzetta et al.)
  • Local Control Mechanism of the Bone Blood Flow (B-C Coessens et al.)
  • Management of Venous Congestion in Trauma and Reconstructive Microsurgery: The Significance of Medical Leeches (P N Soucacos & A E Beris)
• Vascularized Bone Transfers:
  • Osteosynthesis by External Fixation in Microsurgical Reconstructions of the Limbs (F Schuind et al.)
  • Vascularized Bone Transfers and Conventional Bone Grafts in Gustilo IIIB Open Tibial Fractures (O Isserentant & P Hoang)
  • Vascularized Bone Graft for Infected Nonunion with Segmental Bone Defect (Y Yamano et al.)
  • Vascularized Epiphyseal Transfer in Upper Limb Skeletal Reconstruction in Children. Indications and Operative Technique (M Innocenti et al.)
• Reconstruction of the Upper and Lower Extremities:
  • Microvascular Tissue Transplantation for Limb Salvage Surgery (S Handstein et al.)
  • Emergency Vascularized Composite Grafts for Traumatic Tissue Defects (Y Yamano et al.)
  • Lower Extremity Salvage with Free Tissue Transfer by Using an Immediate Arteriovenous Loop in One Stage (M Topalan)
• Reconstruction of the Hand:
  • Single-Stage Reconstruction of Hand Function Following Mutilating Upper Extremity Injury: Simultaneous Soft Tissue Replacement and Tendon Transfer (M M Tomaino)
  • Microsurgical Reconstruction of Defects of the Forearm and Hand Using the Combined Scapular/Parascapular Free Flap (M Sauerbier et al.)
  • Microsurgical Toe Transfer in Congenital Hand Malformations (G Foucher & J Medina)
  • and other papers