“Miracle of the black Leg”—The World's first vascularized composite allograft

Limb reconstruction has been an evolving process beginning in the 20th Century with the introduction of modern surgical equipment and materials, to permit the repair of small vessels and nerves. Surgical techniques have also evolved and include vascularized composite allografts that have an important place in current limb reconstruction. The concept was actually conceived centuries ago and has been referred to as the "Miracle of the black leg," an important event in Christian iconography.