Experimental autologous transplantation of the knee joint: contributions of microvascular surgery (a preliminary report).

Free autologous transplantations of joints can be successfully performed, if careful microsurgical techniques are used. We have carried out autologous exchange transplants of the knee in 28 cats, anastomosing the vessels supplying the knee on one side and leaving the other side with no anastomosis as a control. The operational procedures and the general anaesthesia require special precautions. The permeability of a vascular anastomosis can be judged with scintigraphic and arteriographic techniques. The vascularization and bone remodeling as measured scintigraphically are in direct relation to the blood supply of the operated knee joints. Histological examinations have confirmed the clinical and radiographic findings.