scholarly journals The versatility of a glycerol-preserved skin allograft as an adjunctive treatment to free flap reconstruction

2009 ◽  
Vol 42 (01) ◽  
pp. 094-099 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Z. Mat Saad ◽  
T. L. Khoo ◽  
A. A. Dorai ◽  
A. S. Halim
Keyword(s):  
Free Flap ◽  
Antimicrobial Properties ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Free Tissue Transfer ◽  
Adjunctive Treatment ◽  
Flap Surgery ◽  
Skin Allograft ◽  
Skin Allografts ◽  
Free Flap Surgery ◽  
Unique Composition

ABSTRACTSkin allografts have been used in medical practice for over a century owing to their unique composition as a biological dressing. Skin allografts can be obtained in several preparations such as cryopreserved, glycerol-preserved, and fresh allograft. A glycerol-preserved allograft (GPA) was introduced in the early 1980s. It has several advantages compared with other dressings such as ease of processing, storage and transport, lower cost, less antigenicity, antimicrobial properties, and neo-vascularisation promoting properties. Skin allografts are mainly used in the management of severe burn injuries, chronic ulcers, and complex, traumatic wounds. Published reports of the use of skin allografts in association with free flap surgery are few or non existent. We would like to share our experience of several cases of free tissue transfer that utilised GPA as a temporary wound dressing in multiple scenarios. On the basis of this case series, we would like to recommend that a GPA be used as a temporary dressing in conjunction with free flap surgery when required to protect the flap pedicle, allowing time for the edema to subside and the wound can then be closed for a better aesthetic outcome.

scholarly journals Taking Free Flap Surgery Abroad: A Collaborative Approach to a Complex Surgical Problem

2018 ◽  
Vol 160 (3) ◽  
pp. 426-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Swendseid ◽  
Patrick Tassone ◽  
Patrick Jean Gilles ◽  
Magda Pavrette ◽  
Matthew Stewart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Free Flap ◽  
Health Care Disparities ◽  
Ethical Dilemmas ◽  
Surgical Care ◽  
Free Tissue Transfer ◽  
Outreach Program ◽  
Flap Surgery ◽  
Free Flap Surgery ◽  
Surgical Teams

Accessibility to health care, especially complex surgical care, represents one of the major health care disparities in developing countries. While surgical teams may be willing to travel to these areas to help address these needs, there are many logistical and ethical dilemmas inherent in this pursuit. We reviewed our approach to the establishment of the team-based surgical outreach program, wherein we perform head and neck free tissue transfer surgery in Haiti. We describe the challenges encountered in the delivery of surgical care as well as ethical dilemmas relevant to surgical outreach trips, highlighting an approach reliant on strong local cooperation. Despite the obstacles in place, our experience shows that free flap surgery can be successfully and ethically performed in these areas of great need.

scholarly journals Lower Extremity Reconstruction with Vascularized Free-Tissue Transfer: 20 Years of Experience in the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (7) ◽  
pp. 462-470
Author(s):  
Nutthawut Akaranuchat
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Free Flap ◽  
Free Tissue Transfer ◽  
Flap Surgery ◽  
Free Flap Surgery ◽  
Anterolateral Thigh ◽  
Lower Extremity Reconstruction ◽  
Extremity Reconstruction ◽  
The Mean

Objective: The reconstruction of extensive soft-tissue defects in the lower extremity still poses a great challenge to plastic and reconstructive surgeons. The ideal approach is to achieve a proper soft-tissue coverage with a well-vascularized flap, which results in a durable weight-bearing surface and permits normal joint motion. This study aims to retrospectively analyze the outcomes of lower-extremity reconstruction with vascularized free-tissue transfer performed at our plastic surgery division. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed regarding 58 patients with defects in the lower extremity which were reconstructed with vascularized free-tissue transfers between 2000 and 2019. Forty-four of the patients were male, and 14 were female. The mean age was 44.4 years (range: 6-89 years). The most common indication for free-flap surgery was a secondary reconstruction after tumor eradication (23 cases, 39.7%), and 84.8% of the defects were exposed bare bones, tendons, or joints.Results: In our 58 reviewed cases, the foot was the most common area requiring reconstruction with a free flap (68.9%), and the mean defect size was 12.5 x 8.1 cm. The most commonly used free flap was the Anterolateral thigh free flap (39.7%), followed by the Gracilis free flap (29.3%), and the Superficial circumflex iliac artery-perforator free flap (10.4%). The recipient vessels most frequently used were posterior tibialis vessels (53.4%). The overall flap-survival rate was 75.9%, though there was an increased survival rate of up to 85.7% in the last five years of the period studied. The flap-salvage rate was 40.9%, and arterial thrombosis was the major cause of flap loss (50%). Factors associated with free-flap failure were re-exploration and free flap surgery after tumor or cancer eradication. The most common post-operative complication was flap-wound dehiscence (10.3%). Two patients received a flap correction due to bulkiness, and three had recurrence of ulceration. Conclusion: Microvascular free-tissue transfers for lower- extremity-defect reconstructions are reliable and valuable as a surgical technique. In over 20 years of experience in our division, we’ve had an overall flap-survival rate of 75.9%. Our flap of choice was the Anterolateral thigh free flap.

Intraoperative Vasopressor Usage in Free Tissue Transfer: Should We Be Worried?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel P. Munro ◽  
Chad Chang ◽  
Rory J. Tinker ◽  
Iain B. Anderson ◽  
Geoff C. Bedford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Failure Rate ◽  
Free Flap ◽  
Free Tissue Transfer ◽  
Flap Surgery ◽  
Continuous Administration ◽  
Microvascular Thrombosis ◽  
Tissue Transfer ◽  
Free Flap Surgery ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Vasopressor Use

Abstract Background The role of vasopressors has long been a subject of debate in microsurgery. Conventional wisdom dictates the avoidance of vasopressor use, due to concerns such as peripheral vasoconstriction, inducing vasospasm of the anastomoses, and leading to failure in perfusion. It has since become common practice in some centers to avoid intraoperative vasopressor use during free tissue transfer surgery. Recent studies have suggested that this traditional view may not be supported by clinical evidence. However, none of these studies have separated vasopressor use by method of administration. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of our experience of vasopressor use in free flap surgery at a single high-volume center. The outcome measures were flap failure, flap-related complications and overall postoperative complications (reported using the Clavien–Dindo classification). Groups were compared using Chi-square or Fisher's Exact test where appropriate. Results A total of 777 cases in 717 patients were identified. 59.1% of these had vasopressors administered intraoperatively. The overall failure rate was 2.2%, with 9.8% experienced flap-related complications. There was no difference in flap loss when vasopressors were administered, but an increased rate of microvascular thrombosis was noted (p = 0.003). Continuous administration of vasopressors was associated with reduced venous congestion, whereas intermittent boluses increased risk of microvascular thrombosis. Conclusion Our study confirms previous findings that intraoperative vasopressor use in free flap surgery is not associated with increased failure rate. Administering vasopressors continuously may be safer than via repeated boluses.

scholarly journals NSQIP as a Predictor of Length of Stay in Patients Undergoing Free Flap Reconstruction

OTO Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 2473974X1668569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles A. Riley ◽  
Blair M. Barton ◽  
Claire M. Lawlor ◽  
David Z. Cai ◽  
Phoebe E. Riley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Free Flap ◽  
Reconstructive Surgery ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Flap Surgery ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Free Flap Surgery ◽  
The Mean

Objective The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) calculator was created to improve outcomes and guide cost-effective care in surgery. Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergo ablative and free flap reconstructive surgery with prolonged postoperative courses. Methods A case series with chart review was performed on 50 consecutive patients with HNC undergoing ablative and reconstructive free flap surgery from October 2014 to March 2016 at a tertiary care center. Comorbidities and intraoperative and postoperative variables were collected. Predicted length of stay was tabulated with the NSQIP calculator. Results Thirty-five patients (70%) were male. The mean (SD) age was 67.2 (13.4) years. The mean (SD) length of stay (LOS) was 13.5 (10.3) days. The mean (SD) NSQIP-predicted LOS was 10.3 (2.2) days ( P = .027). Discussion The NSQIP calculator may be an inadequate predictor for LOS in patients with HNC undergoing free flap surgery. Additional study is necessary to determine the accuracy of this tool in this patient population. Implications for Practice: Head and neck surgeons performing free flap reconstructive surgery following tumor ablation may find that the NSQIP risk calculator underestimates the LOS in this population.

Utilization of microvascular couplers in salvage arterial anastomosis in head and neck free flap surgery: Case series and literature review

Head & Neck ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael M. Li ◽  
Akina Tamaki ◽  
Nolan B. Seim ◽  
Stephen Y. Kang ◽  
Enver Ozer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Free Flap ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Flap Surgery ◽  
Free Flap Surgery ◽  
Arterial Anastomosis

Free Flap Reconstruction of Extremity Defects in Pediatric Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (04) ◽  
pp. 349-355
Author(s):  
Jin Li ◽  
Hewei Xiong ◽  
Gongchi Li ◽  
Pan Zhou ◽  
Fangxin Ai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Success Rate ◽  
Free Flap ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Free Tissue Transfer ◽  
Free Flaps ◽  
Functional Improvement ◽  
Flap Surgery ◽  
Global Functioning ◽  
Free Flap Surgery

Abstract Background Microsurgical reconstruction of extremity defects with free flaps has been carried out for many years. The aim of this retrospective study is to characterize free flap surgery on children of 1 to 7 years old by evaluating a series of 20 cases of free flap surgeries that have been performed in pediatric patients. Methods From February 2014 to January 2018, 20 patients, 10 boys and 10 girls aged from 1 to 7 years (average, 4.6 years), were engaged in this study. Several types of free flaps were used, including anterolateral thigh flaps (ALT), inferior ulnar collateral artery flap, latissimus dorsi flap, medial plantar flap, fibular osteocutaneous flap and hallux toenail flap. After operations, follow-up period was at least for 2 years and the average follow-up period was 48.5 months. The long-term outcomes were estimated by questionnaires derived from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI). Results A total of 21free-flap reconstructions were performed on 20patients, including 15 ALT, 3 composite flaps, and 3 other cutaneous flaps. The size of the tissue flap ranged from 1.5 to 280 cm2 (average, 74.1cm2). The diameter of the anastomosed artery of the flap ranged from 0.7 to 1.2 mm. Among the 21 flaps, 20 survived and the success rate was about 95 %. Contour adaption was achieved in all flaps. Fifteen children received a secondary operation for debulking or functional improvement. Secondary deformity was present in 3 children, among which ankle joint valgus was seen in two children and a flexion deformity of injured toe occurred in one child. The mean global functioning score of PODCI was 94 (ranging from 81 to 98, maximum 100). Conclusion The success rate of free-flap surgery in pediatric patients was comparable to that achieved in adults. Post-operative caring for pediatric patients was easier than expected. For pediatric patients, the final outcomes were not varied remarkably from different types of free tissue transfer.

Reversed Arterial and Venous Flow in Free-Flap Surgery for Leg Reconstruction

2006 ◽  
Vol 22 (04) ◽  
Author(s):  
Soo Hahn ◽  
Sung Kim ◽  
Ho Kang ◽  
Sun Joo
Keyword(s):  
Free Flap ◽  
Flap Surgery ◽  
Venous Flow ◽  
Free Flap Surgery

scholarly journals Improvised perioperative techniques to meet the challenges of microvascular free flap surgery

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-100
Author(s):  
Soumi Pathak ◽  
Itee Chowdhury ◽  
Ajay Kumar Bhargava
Keyword(s):  
Free Flap ◽  
Neck Region ◽  
Flap Surgery ◽  
Surgical Morbidity ◽  
Head And Neck Region ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Free Flap Surgery ◽  
And Function ◽  
Microvascular Free Flap

Deformities of the head and neck region after radical oncosurgery can have devastating effects on the appearance of the patient with significant impact on patients quality of life. Reconstruction of such defects continues to be an extremely demanding challenge for plastic surgeons who aim to restore form and function with minimal surgical morbidity. The purpose of this communications is to highlight the various interventions and the protocols that are adopted to decrease the free flap failure rate.  

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