[Kineplastic reconstruction after upperlimb amputation (author's transl)].

In our country the preprosthetic surgical reconstruction of the upper-limb stumps based on the idea of kinematization has become a separate part of reconstructive surgery. Kineplastics- the formation of the skin-muscular canals-aimed at controlling the prosthetic-orthotic devices has acquired a new trend closely connected with the achievements of prosthetics, particularly with the development of the upper-limb externally powered prostheses. At the Leningrad Research Institute of Prosthetics 80 patients underwent kineplastic operations and 102 skin-muscular canals were formed in the period of 1975-1980. Most of the patients were severely disabled; among 65 cases there were upperlimb amputations, congenital deficiencies of the proximal shoulder girdle and disarticulations of shoulder joints. The authors improved the technique of the kineplastic operations, developed the original operations for fastening the prostheses and controlling the functional externally powered prostheses. The physiological investigations showed that the skin-muscular canals possessed a required number of commands and may be a reliable source of control. The skin-muscular canals are used for controlling prostheses, holding different devices for self-help, work and sports. This complex treatment enables the amputees not only to control the prostheses and aid devices, but also to become highly skilled workers.