Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences
Volume 23, Issue 11 , Pages 566-572, November 2007

Clinical Experience of a Microvascular Venous Coupler Device in Free Tissue Transfers

  • Kao-Ping Chang
    • ,
  • Sin-Daw Lin
    • ,
  • Chung-Sheng Lai

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence and reprint requests to: Dr Chung-Sheng Lai, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan

Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, and Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Received 26 February 2007; accepted 22 June 2007.

Article Outline

Most free flap failures result from technical problems in performing vascular anastomoses, such as endothelial intima lacerations, distortion of the vessels, and unequal intersuture distances. These incorrect practices can lead to thrombosis formation and, ultimately, flap failure. Solving this problem is a challenging issue for all micro-reconstructive surgeons. In the last decade, a vascular anastomotic coupler instrument was developed and reported on. We review our recent experiences of free tissue transfer using this vascular coupler device, and discuss how venous problems can be overcome with its aid. We believe the excellent patency rate of the coupler may minimize the well-described problems of venous thrombosis in the challenging field of free tissue reconstructions.

Key Words:  free tissue transfer , venous coupler device

No full text is available. To read the body of this article, please view the PDF online.

 

Back to Article Outline

References 

  1. Nishimoto S , Hikasa H , Ichino N , et al.   Venous anastomoses with a microvascular anastomotic device in head and neck reconstruction . J Reconstr Microsurg . 2000;16:553–556
  2. Denk MJ , Longaker MT , Basner AL , et al.   Microsurgical reconstruction of the lower extremity using the 3M microvascular coupling device in venous anastomoses . Ann Plast Surg . 1995;35:601–606
  3. Ahn CY , Shaw WW , Berns S , et al.   Clinical experience with the 3M microvascular coupling anastomotic device in 100 free-tissue transfers . Plast Reconstr Surg . 1994;93:1481–1484
  4. de Bruijn HP , Marck KW . Coupling the venous anastomosis: safe and simple . Microsurgery . 1996;17:414–416
  5. Shindo ML , Costantino PD , Nalbone VP , et al.   Use of a mechanical microvascular anastomotic device in head and neck free tissue transfer . Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg . 1996;122:529–532
  6. Kroll SS , Schusterman MA , Reece GP , et al.   Choice of flap and incidence of free flap success . Plast Reconstr Surg . 1996;98:459–463
  7. Kerrigan CL , Stotland MA . Ischemia reperfusion injury: a review . Microsurgery . 1993;14:165–175
  8. Gurlek A , Kroll SS , Schusterman MA . Ischemic time and free flap success . Ann Plast Surg . 1997;38:503–505
  9. DeLacure MD , Wong RS , Markowitz BL , et al.   Clinical experience with a microvascular anastomotic device in head and neck reconstruction . Am J Surg . 1995;170:521–523
  10. DeLacure MD , Kuriakose MA , Spies AL . Clinical experience in end-to-side venous anastomoses with a microvascular anastomotic coupling device in head and neck reconstruction . Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg . 1999;125:869–872
  11. Gilbert RW , Ragnarsson R , Berggren A , et al.   Strength of microvascular anastomoses: comparison between the unilink anastomotic system and sutures . Microsurgery . 1989;10:40–46
  12. Grotting JC . Prevention of complications and correction of postoperative problems in microsurgery of the lower extremity . Clin Plast Surg . 1991;18:485–489

PII: S1607-551X(08)70004-4

doi:10.1016/S1607-551X(08)70004-4

Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences
Volume 23, Issue 11 , Pages 566-572, November 2007

Article Tools