Novel Microvascular Clamps to Aid Trainee Surgeon Education: Smarter Than Acland Micro Clamps?

Abstract

Summary Amongst the common microsurgical errors by trainees-Inadvertent backwall suturing and incomplete bites account for 21.7% and 19.6% of the total number of errors respectively. These errors are attributed to poor visibility of the suture and needle within the vessel lumen. We aimed to analyze and compare the errors during microvascular anastomosis with the use of an adventitia holding microvascular-clamp (AHM) and a regular Acland microvascular-clamp.We performed twenty-five vascular anastomoses, twelve using the AHM clamp and thirteen controls. Overall, sixteen were venous anastomosis performed for free flaps and nine were arterial anastomosis following arterial injury. The 3 jaw adventitia holding microvascular clamp was a versatile instrument during microsurgery, as it reduced the time required for anastomosis, the need for assistance, prevented backwall sutures, and the need to flip the clamp.