Threatened lower extremity in a neonate from a severely constricting amniotic band: a case for limb salvage after a 6-year functional follow-up

Abstract

A child presented at birth with a threatened lower limb from severe constriction band. Limb salvage was performed by emergency z-plasty reconstructions and subsequent sural nerve grafting to a fibrotic segmental deficit in the sciatic nerve. Follow-up over a 6-year period enables us to provide a favorable outlook with regard to functional use of the extremity and absence of chronic lymphedema, but she does have a significant limb length discrepancy. There is virtually no information on long-term functional outcome of such cases, although textbook teaching advises one to attempt emergency salvage of an extremity that is threatened by a severely constricting congenital amniotic band. Follow-up of our patient equips us with outcome information so that we can now better inform parents when once again faced with this problem in the neonate.