"Facilitated small venous anastomosis with couplers using an IV catheter suction system."

Abstract

Microvascular anastomotic venous couplers are an integral component of our free flap procedures. Oftentimes though we have noticed that pulling the vessel through the coupler's ring, especially in the cases of smaller coupler sizes can be cumbersome. Herein, we would like to share an our technique which facilitates the passage of small veins through the coupler's ring with the help of an intravenous catheter.