ABSTRACT
A clinical analysis of 171 major extremity replantations was carried out. From one
month to 2.5 years after surgery, direct lymphographic studies of replanted limbs
were done in 17 patients (16 upper limbs and one lower limb). Despite a complete disruption
of lymphatic drainage, replanted limbs underwent adaptive and compensatory structural
changes of the lymphatic system in the post-replantation period; first, with regeneration
of cutaneous vessels and then (after six to eight weeks postoperatively) with regeneration
of lymphatic collecting vessels. Such changes led to improvement as early as four
to six weeks postoperatively and subsequently to restoration of lymphatic drainage
in the replanted limb. The rate and extent of lymphatic recovery depends largely on
the surgical techniques used in replantation.
