For patients with defects caused by trauma, cancer, or
infection, Duke surgeons can save or reconstruct limbs while
helping patients make a full recovery. Duke offers a range of
surgery to restore form and function, including a 24-hour hand
replantation service.
Duke offers particular expertise in:
- Recontouring of trauma-related limb deformities
- Removal of trauma-related scars
- Hand replantation
For trauma patients, microvascular
reconstruction can be used to reattach fingers or limbs or to
transplant living tissue from one part of the body to another.
For instance, Duke’s physicians frequently transplant toes to
give hand-trauma patients a new thumb or finger.
Additional information about treatments pertaining to trauma
patients can be found in the Emergency Services section of
DukeHealth.org.
Diabetic patients can have trouble with
wounds that won’t heal, because of reduced blood flow to the
foot and other extremities.
When these patients are at risk for amputation, Duke’s
surgeons can transplant well-vascularized tissue from elsewhere
on the patient’s body with good results.
For patients who have had tumor resections,
Duke surgeons use either microsurgery or conventional surgical
techniques to reconstruct bone and soft tissue, restoring
appearance and function of limbs.
Duke’s expertise in microsurgery gives
cancer patients the option of unlimited transfer of tissues
from elsewhere in the body. Reconstructive surgeons work
closely with tumor resection surgeons to create an
individualized treatment plan for each patient.
Locations
This service is available at:
