Preservation of the amputated canine hind limb by extracorporeal perfusion.

The hind limbs of six dogs were reimplanted immediately after amputation. Another nine were conserved by extracorporeal circulation for 24 h, and then examined histologically. A further six were conserved by the same method and then reimplanted after 24 h. Conservation by extracorporeal circulation maintained the limbs in good condition. Less than 5% of the muscle fibres showed abnormality when examined, and the lesions were reversible.