of a successful replantation, it is necessary to preserve the amputate as soon as possible in a cool(close to freezing, but not at or below freezing) and sterile or clean environment. Parts should be wrapped with moistened gauze and placed inside a clean or sterile bag floating in ice water. Dry ice should not be used as it can result in freezing of the tissue. There are so called sterile "Amputate-Bags" available which help to perform a dry, cool and sterile preservation. Parts without muscles such as fingers can be preserved for many hours, while major muscle containing parts such as arms need to be re-attached and revascularized within 6-8 hours to have a viable limb. Outcome of major limb replantations can be predicted by the potassium level of the blood which flows out of the replanted part after revascularization as a high level of potassium can be a marker of muscle and tissue death. It is important to also collect and to preserve those amputates which do not look like being "replantable". A microsurgeon needs all available parts of human tissue to cover the wound at the stump and thus to prevent further shortening of the stump. In some cases (e.g. forearm) the task of an important joint (e.g. elbow) can be conserved for improved prosthetic success. Severe crush injuries, multilevel injuries, avulsion injuries, and in some cases jagged tearing of tissue, can preclude replantation and salvage, requiring revision amputation of the stump.