Care Of The Amputated Part

CARE AND TRANSPORT OF THE AMPUTATED PART FOR REPLANTATION Rinse parts with normal saline to remove gross contamination, then wrap in DRY gauze, place in DRY plastic bag (zip-close), and place on ice. (Do not bury in ice because immersion may cause cold injury to the part. Do not use dry ice because it is too cold and causes tissue damage. The gauze and plastic prevent the tissue from coming into direct contact with the ice. This method is preferred to immersion or wrapping in a moist dressing to avoid maceration. Arrange for transportation as fast as possible. Reference: Transportation Protocol in Microsurgery: Transplantation and Replantation by Harry J. Buncke, MD, et al