Arterial injuries in electrically burned upper limbs and effects of early reconstruction of blood circulation to the wrist.

Since May 1978, a new method using the saphenous vein as autograft for reconstruction of blood circulation to the wrist has been applied in treating a series of 14 cases of electrically burned upper limbs with vascular injuries of the wrist. Necrosis was averted in 10 upper limbs treated in this way. This paper reports the pathological findings in these 14 cases operated upon at an early stage as well as clinical observations on the injured arteries, arteriograms and operative findings. A pathological study was also made on the arteries of limbs amputated following conservative treatment. A pathological concept is suggested regarding the damage caused by an electrical current passing through the upper limb. This helps to explain the mechanism of electrical injuries and provides a pathological basis for early vascular reconstruction to prevent necrosis in electrical injuries of upper limbs.