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Iorio. Plast Aesthet Res 2020;7:22 Plastic and
DOI: 10.20517/2347-9264.2020.86 Aesthetic Research

Editorial Open Access

Introduction of special issue “Advances in
Microsurgery for Upper and Lower Extremity

Reconstruction and Limb Preservation”

Matthew L. Iorio

Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.

Correspondence to: Dr. Matthew L. Iorio, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Colorado Anschutz
Medical Center, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. E-mail: mattiorio@gmail.com
How to cite this article: Iorio ML. Introduction of special issue “Advances in Microsurgery for Upper and Lower Extremity
Reconstruction and Limb Preservation”. Plast Aesthet Res 2020;7:22. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2020.86
Received: 17 Apr 2020 Accepted: 20 Apr 2020 Published: 29 Apr 2020

Science Editor: Raúl González-García Copy Editor: Jing-Wen Zhang Production Editor: Jing Yu

I am honored to present the special edition “Advances in Microsurgery for Upper and Lower Extremity
Reconstruction and Limb Preservation” for Plastic and Aesthetic Research. Herein, world-class experts
describe their techniques for functional reconstruction and rehabilitation in extremity injuries and limb
salvage.

The goal of this edition was to provide a comprehensive reference for the extremity surgeon. These
outstanding articles review not only individual techniques of flap coverage, such as chimeric and propeller
flaps, but also the unique considerations for flap reconstruction timing, tendon reconstruction, techniques
for perforator mapping and postoperative monitoring, and the importance of the plastic surgeon in mass
casualty incidents. And as such, a significant improvement in the functional quotient can be seen through
the use of vascularized bone grafting, composite allotransplantation, and functional muscle and nerve
reconstructions.

Reconstructive surgeons are often asked for assistance to “close a wound” in patients with complex limb
defects. This reductive approach belies a greater opportunity to enhance limb salvage through improving
functional outcomes. Although it may stem from a lack of understanding of available options or from the
mindset that complex reconstructions may have a lower chance of success, a truer definition of success
should be restoring the patient to as close to the pre-injury state as possible. To fulfil our commitment to
our patients, we must advocate for sophisticated and innovative reconstruction, demonstrating improved
outcomes by return to functional baselines, ambulation, and decreased pain.

© The Author(s) 2020. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use,
sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, for any purpose, even commercially, as long
as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license,
and indicate if changes were made.

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