ABSTRACT
Rapid restoration of blood ow to the ischemic tissue is essential to minimize irreversible parenchymal damage. When obstruction times are minimal (<1.5 hours), full functional recovery of the tissue can be expected. Periods of 2-3 hours of ischemia followed by reperfusion will result in histological damage to a minority of bres within the muscle; however, return of normal function is anticipated. Perfusion following a 4-hour ischemic period results in both functional and histologic damage, while return of blood supply aer 6-hour ischemia will result in a signicant functional decit.1 As such, it is generally agreed that ischemic times over 6 hours is detrimental to skeletal tissue in both traumatic and elective occlusions.
