Severe extremity injury results from high-energy trauma and causes extensive damage to multiple tissues. Such injuries directly threaten both limb viability and patient survival and remains a major challenge in trauma orthopaedics. The cornerstone of treatment is based on comprehensive assessment by a multidisciplinary team to guide evidence-based decisions on limb salvage. In repair and reconstruction strategies, the timing of soft-tissue coverage plays a critical role. Delayed primary flap coverage, performed 3-7 days after injury, has become the preferred approach. After repeated debridement to ensure a clean wound bed, this strategy improves flap survival and reduces infection risk. Fracture fixation requires dynamic decision-making. External fixators provide damage control and temporary stabilization and allow soft tissues to recover. Once conditions permit, conversion to internal fixation, such as intramedullary nails or plates to achieve stable fixation. Complex cases with severe contamination or infection require staged management. After thorough early debridement, local antibiotic delivery using antibiotic-loaded bone cement, such as vancomycin cement, can be applied. This is often combined with negative-pressure wound therapy, and external fixation may serve as definitive treatment. Large segmental bone defects can be managed using the induced membrane technique or bone transport. In addition, emerging strategies such as recombinant Staphylococcus aureus vaccines for infection prevention and three-dimensional-printed personalised implants for bone reconstruction show promising clinical potential.

Citation： XU Yongqing. Advances in early repair and reconstruction of severe limb injuries. Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery, 2026, 40(1): 29-33. doi: 10.7507/1002-1892.202512047 Copy

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