Choithram’s Modified Hanging Limb Preparation for Limb Surgeries

Abstract

Abstract In an extensive lower limb burn surgery, where we need to operate circumferentially, we need to have a hanging limb preparation to have exposure to all sides of the leg. Here, we describe a modified method of limb holding described by authors from a paper published by Farroha et al. in EJPS, 2013. In our setup, we hang the lower limb using sharp towel clips, fixed to the patient’s great toe at distal phalanx (DP). These towel clips are elevated by a sterile bandage to the hook of intravenous stand, which is stabilized using weights on the other end. We are using this method for lower limb burn surgery to perform tangential excision or debridement and skin graft application/harvesting. There is no potential or residual damage to the great toe, nail, or bone of the DP. This method is very convenient, easy 360° access to operate, most impressive, needs lesser assistance and workforce and decreases chances of contamination.