Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery

BACKGROUND:  Fasciocutaneous free deltoid flaps are used to reconstruct hand, foot, and maxillofacial defects. Although anatomical studies of this flap pedicle have been performed on cadavers, there are no reports on the use of 320-detector row computed tomography angiography (CTA-320) to investigate the deltoid flap pedicle in living humans. This study aimed to investigate the arterial characteristics of the deltoid flap pedicle using the CTA-320 system in living humans. METHODS:  Twenty-seven adult Vietnamese patients with 54 healthy deltoid regions underwent CTA-320 to investigate arterial blood supply before clinical free-flap transfer...

BACKGROUND:  The intricacies of nerve regeneration following injury have prompted increased research efforts in recent years, with a primary focus on elucidating regeneration mechanisms and exploring various surgical techniques. While many experimental animals have been used for these investigations, the rat continues to remain the most widely used model due to its cost-effectiveness, accessibility, and resilience against diseases and surgical/anesthetic complications. A comprehensive evaluation of all the experimental rat models available in this context is currently lacking...

BACKGROUND:  Postoperative free tissue transfer reexploration procedures are relatively infrequent but associated with increased overall failure rates. This study examines the differences between flaps requiring takeback versus no takeback, as well as trends in reexploration techniques that may increase the odds of successful salvage. METHODS:  A retrospective review was conducted on all free tissue transfers performed at our institution from 2011 to 2022...

BACKGROUND:  Autologous breast reconstruction (ABR) after mastectomy is increasing due to benefits over implant-based reconstruction. However, free flap reconstruction is not universally offered to patients of advanced age due to perceived increased perioperative risk. METHODS:  Patients undergoing free flap breast reconstruction at our institution from 2005 to 2018 were included. Risk-adjusted logistic regression models were fit while controlling for demographic and comorbid characteristics to determine the association of age with the probability of venous thromboembolism (VTE), delayed healing, skin necrosis, surgical site infection (SSI), seroma, hematoma, hernia, and flap loss...

BACKGROUND:  Lymphedema can occur in patients undergoing axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) and radiation for breast cancer. Immediate lymphatic reconstruction (ILR) is performed to decrease the risk of lymphedema in patients after ALND. Some patients who ultimately require ALND are candidates for attempted sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) or targeted axillary excision. In those scenarios, ALND can be performed (1) immediately if frozen sections are positive or (2) as a second operation following permanent pathology...

BACKGROUND: Lymphedema is a chronic condition, characterized by fluid buildup and tissue swelling and is caused by impairment of the lymphatic system. The lymph interpositional flap transfer (LIFT) technique, in which lymph flow is restored with a flap that includes subdermal lymphatic channels, is an option for surgical reconstruction. The superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap can be used for this purpose. This study aimed to describe and characterize the lymphatic patterns within the vascular territory of the superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap...

BACKGROUND:  Decreased autologous flap vascular perfusion can lead to secondary procedures. Fluorescence angiography during surgery reduces the probability of repeat surgery but suffers from interpretation variability. Recently, the OnLume Avata System was developed, which evaluates real-time vascular perfusion in ambient light. This study aims to predict complications in autologous breast reconstruction using measures of relative intensity (RI) and relative area (RA). METHODS:  Patients undergoing autologous breast reconstruction underwent intraoperative tissue perfusion assessment using the OnLume Avata System...

BACKGROUND:  Free flaps are essential for limb salvage in patients with lower extremity (LE) trauma; however, significant donor-site morbidity could impact functional outcomes. This study compares postoperative ambulatory function between contralateral and ipsilateral free flap harvest in LE traumatic reconstruction. METHODS:  A retrospective review was performed on patients who underwent LE reconstruction at a level 1 trauma center from 2009 to 2022...

BACKGROUND:  Numerous studies have shown that obesity is a risk factor for postoperative complications following breast reconstruction. Hence, obesity has traditionally been considered a relative contraindication to microsurgical breast reconstruction. In this study, we investigated the impact of obesity on outcomes following microsurgical breast reconstruction. METHODS:  A retrospective analysis of 200 consecutive patients who underwent microsurgical breast reconstruction with free abdominal flaps was performed...

BACKGROUND: There has been increasing emphasis on patient-reported satisfaction as a measure of surgical outcomes. While previous research has investigated factors influencing patient satisfaction following breast reconstruction, there are few studies on how patient satisfaction is impacted by revision procedures. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether elective revisions following breast reconstruction are significantly associated with changes in patient-reported outcomes and quality of life...

BACKGROUND: Random flaps are the most used defect repair method for head and neck tumors and trauma plastic surgery. The distal part of the flap often undergoes oxidative stress (OS), ultimately leading to flap necrosis. Stem cells exosomes exhibit potential effects related to anti-inflammatory, regenerative, and antioxidant properties. Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is an important factor in regulating oxidative balance. Exosomes have been reported to monitor its transcription to alleviate OS...

BACKGROUND: Surgical drains are a key component for recovery in breast reconstruction procedures. However, they are often cumbersome and carry a risk for infection with prolonged use. Our aim was to develop a more thorough understanding of patient and health care provider perspectives on surgical drains, to inform future efforts in improving the breast reconstruction patient experience. METHODS: Twenty-nine breast reconstruction patients and eight plastic surgery providers were recruited to complete surveys focused on surgical drains...

INTRODUCTION: Historically, the use of intraoperative vasopressors during free flap lower extremity reconstruction has been proposed to adversely affect flap survival due to concerns about compromising flap perfusion. This study aims to analyze the impact of intraoperative vasopressor use and fluid administration on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing traumatic lower extremity (LE) reconstruction. METHODS: Patients who underwent LE free flap reconstruction between 2015-2023 at a Level 1 Trauma Center were retrospectively reviewed...

BACKGROUND: The study aims to investigate the zone of injury for major vessels after high-velocity traumas, as it is unclear whether avoiding vascular structures is necessary during microvascular anastomosis or how long it takes for them to be used again. METHODS: This study uses Doppler ultrasonography and a rat model to evaluate the histopathological changes and flow velocity of major vessels in the zone of injury after high-velocity trauma with closed femoral bone fracture...

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of upper extremity osseous diaphyseal defects often require complex reconstructions. In this study, we characterized and summarized the available literature on free vascularized bone flap (VBF) reconstruction for upper extremity diaphyseal defects. METHODS: A scoping review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) was conducted. A literature search of major electronic databases was conducted to identify journal articles relating to the management of VBF reconstruction of upper limb long bone defects...

INTRODUCTION: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons are often presented with reconstructive challenges as a sequela of complications in high-risk surgical patients, ranging from exposure of hardware, lymphedema, and chronic pain after amputation. These complications can result in significant morbidity, recovery time, resource utilization, and cost. Given the prevalence of surgical complications managed by Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, developing novel preventative techniques to mitigate surgical risk is paramount...

BACKGROUND: The presence of a chimeric gracilis and profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap with a common arterial pedicle has been demonstrated on computed tomography angiography (CTA) in up to 59% of patients and confirmed in a cadaveric model1,2. Already utilized for head & neck reconstruction by Heredero et al., this novel flap could provide more volume than either flap alone which is advantageous, particularly in patients with sizable defects.3 The purpose of this study was to determine the average tissue volume that can be utilized from this chimeric flap...

BACKGROUND: Speech restoration is important for communication and social activities after pharyngolaryngectomy in head and neck cancer or corrosive injury. Several techniques of voice restoration have been developed to improve life quality. The aim of this paper was to focus on the microsurgical transfer of ileocolon flap and outcome of further voice rehabilitation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2010 to 2022, 69 patients had ileocolon flap at our hospital with postoperative speech training and regular follow-up for over one year...

BACKGROUND: Because immediately burying a free flap forgoes the incorporation of a monitoring skin paddle it may be associated with an increased risk of flap loss or other perfusion-related complications, such as fat necrosis. We hypothesized that fully de-epithelialized breast free flaps were not associated with an increased complication rate, reduced the need for future revision surgery, and had superior patient reported outcomes. METHODS: A single institution retrospective review of 206 DIEP flaps in 142 patients was performed between June 2016 and September 2021...

INTRODUCTION:  Thorough validation of novel microsurgical techniques is deemed essential before their integration into clinical practice. To achieve proper validation, the design of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) should be undertaken, accompanied by the execution of comprehensive statistical analyses, including confounder adjustment and power analysis. This systematic review aims to provide an encompassing overview of the validation methodologies employed in microsurgical studies, with a specific focus on innovative vessel anastomosis techniques...