Simultaneous Bilateral Lower Leg Replantation: Evaluation by Different Scoring Systems???A Critical Analysis

Bilateral Leg Replantation in a 3-Month-Old Baby After a Knee Level Crush Amputation-A 2-Year Follow-up

We present a case of a successful bilateral leg replantation in a 3-month-old baby after a knee-level crush amputation with the loss of both knee joints. The legs were replanted after 4 hours of warm and an additional 2.5 and 3.5 hours of cold ischemia time. Both legs show motor and sensory reinnervation, without additional procedures performed on the right leg, and after a nerve reconstruction with cadaveric allografts on the left leg. Both replanted legs exhibit excellent bony and soft tissue growth. Two years after the injury, the patient is progressing well with rehabilitation, with favourable odds of having knee reconstructions performed at a later age. This is the youngest patient reported to have had successful replantation of both legs.

Crossover Replantation of the Foot After Bilateral Traumatic Lower Extremity Amputation

BACKGROUND

Bilateral traumatic amputation and limb-threatening injury of the lower extremities is more challenging than the unilateral amputation. Successful replantation of both lower extremities has been reported previously. However, orthotopic implantations may not be possible when amputation of both lower limbs with different levels of section and degrees of damage to surrounding tissues occurs. It was reported that the crossover replanted foot in combination with prosthetic limb is better than 2 artificial limbs. Hence, crossover replantation should be considered when anatomic replantation of both lower extremities is not possible as a result of bilateral total or subtotal amputation. To our knowledge, there are few reports about the crossover replantation of the lower extremity in the literature.

CASE REPORT

A 30-year-old engineer being run over by the train had crushed the bilateral lower limbs in different anatomic levels. We decided to perform the crossover replantation of the right foot to the stump of the left leg to provide the patient with at least 1 weight-bearing sensate extremity. At the latest follow-up examination, 30 months after the operation, he had mild pain, especially in toes of the replanted foot. There was no ulceration in both the replanted extremity and the right amputation stump. The sole has maintained complete protective sensation. The patient described the functional result of the reimplanted leg as satisfying and better than the prosthesis that has caused much more problems than the replanted extremity. He had no complaint about the cosmetic result. He stated that he would have the crossover replantation again under the same condition. He was able to return to his previous job. Moreover, he affirmed that he is able to carry on his all social activities as he had done before the accident except for playing football. In conclusion, the possibility of the crossover replantation should be considered while evaluating the patient with bilateral lower limb injuries to allow the patient to stand on their own foot and still touch ground.

Bilateral Lower Leg Replantation Versus Prosthetic Replacement: Long-Term Outcome of Amputation After an Occupational Railroad Accident

BACKGROUND

This retrospective study investigated three very similar cases of bilateral lower leg amputation. The aim was to determine which of two therapeutical procedures is associated with better long-term outcome: replantation or primary treatment of the stumps and subsequent prosthetic replacement.

METHODS

Evaluation included clinical examination, gait analysis, and a workup of the psychosocial background. Health problems were documented using the Nottingham Health Profile. Follow-up assessments were performed 6, 7, and 18 years after the trauma.

RESULTS

One patient underwent successful bilateral lower leg replantation and continued to work for the same employer. Two patients underwent prosthetic replacement. One became a social outcast confined to a wheelchair. The other patient had a good psychosocial background, similar to that of the patient who underwent replantation. He showed a better gait analysis on even ground than the replantation patient, but the findings were vice versa for uneven ground.

CONCLUSIONS

The decision between replantation and prosthetic replacement after bilateral lower leg amputation is case related and cannot be generalized. Patients who have undergone these procedures require long-term psychological and physiotherapeutic care to achieve a good long-term surgical outcome.