Anastomotic Thrombosis Research Articles

236 The Hypercoagulable State in COVID-19 and Implications for Free Flap Surgery in the Lower Limb

Abstract Aim COVID-19 associated coagulopathy is widely documented in severe COVID-19 infection and COVID-19 Vaccine-Induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopaenia. However, much of this evidence relates to macrovascular thrombosis with limited evidence on the impact of previous mild, asymptomatic COVID-19 infection, or vaccination on microvascular thrombosis in free tissue transfer. We compared the rate of thrombotic complications in traumatic lower limb injuries requiring free flap reconstruction in the pre- and post-COVID era. Method Adult patients undergoing lower limb free flap reconstruction were identified at a single centre over two three-month periods (2019 and 2021). Standard thromboprophylaxis was used for all patients (intraoperative intermittent pressure devices, post-operative thromboembolic deterrent stockings, and prophylactic low molecular weight heparin until discharge). Thrombotic complications were recorded and compared using a chi-squared test. Results In the pre-COVID cohort, 51 patients underwent 52 free flaps. One flap (1.9%) suffered anastomotic thrombosis resulting in flap compromise. Post-COVID, 39 patients underwent 43 free flaps. Nine flaps suffered anastomotic thrombosis (21%) and one patient suffered a pulmonary embolus. This increase was statistically significant (p = 0.002). In the post-COVID cohort, four patients had a COVID-19 infection and 25 patients (64%) had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine before free flap surgery. No patients had an active COVID-19 infection on admission. Conclusions In the post-COVID era there was an increased rate of thrombotic complications in lower limb free flap patients. Further research is required to delineate the best course of action when planning free tissue transfer for patients who have had previous COVID-19 infection or vaccination.

A targeted activatable NIR-II nanoprobe for positive visualization of anastomotic thrombosis and sensitive identification of fresh fibrinolytic thrombus

Anastomotic thrombosis prevalently causes anastomosis failure, accompanied with ischemia and necrosis, the early diagnosis of which is restricted by inherent shortcomings of traditional imaging techniques in clinic and lack of appropriate prodromal biomarkers for thrombosis initiation. Herein, a fresh thrombus-specific molecular event, protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is innovatively chosen as the activating factor, and a thrombosis targeting and PDI-responsive turn-on near infrared II (NIR-II) fluorescence nanoprobe is firstly developed. The supramolecular complex-based nanoprobe IR806-PDA@BSA-CREKA is fabricated by assembling NIR-II emitting cyanine derivative IR806-PDA with bovine serum albumin (BSA), which could ameliorate the stability and pharmacokinetics of the nanoprobe, addressing the contradiction in the balance of brightness and biocompatibility. The NIR-II-off nanoprobe exhibits robust turn-on NIR-II fluorescence upon PDI-specific activation, in vitro and in vivo. Of note, the constructed nanoprobe demonstrates superior photophysical stability, efficient fibrin targeting peptide-derived thrombosis binding and a maximum signal-to-background ratio (SBR) of 9.30 for anastomotic thrombosis in NIR-II fluorescent imaging. In conclusion, the exploited strategy enables positive visualized diagnosis for anastomotic thrombosis and dynamic monitoring for thrombolysis of fresh fibrinolytic thrombus, potentially contributes a novel strategy for guiding the therapeutic selection between thrombolysis and thrombectomy for thrombosis treatment in clinic.

Wireless implantable optical probe for continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation in flaps and organ grafts

Continuous, real-time monitoring of perfusion after microsurgical free tissue transfer or solid organ allotransplantation procedures can facilitate early diagnosis of and intervention for anastomotic thrombosis. Current technologies including Doppler systems, cutaneous O2-sensing probes, and fluorine magnetic resonance imaging methods are limited by their intermittent measurements, requirements for skilled personnel, indirect interfaces, and/or their tethered connections. This paper reports a wireless, miniaturized, minimally invasive near-infrared spectroscopic system designed for uninterrupted monitoring of local-tissue oxygenation. A bioresorbable barbed structure anchors the probe stably at implantation sites for a time period matched to the clinical need, with the ability for facile removal afterward. The probe connects to a skin-interfaced electronic module for wireless access to essential physiological parameters, including local tissue oxygenation, pulse oxygenation, and heart rate. In vitro tests and in vivo studies in porcine flap and kidney models demonstrate the ability of the system to continuously measure oxygenation with high accuracy and sensitivity.

Moisturization of the Surgical Field during Cancer Resection Reduces Perioperative Complications in Reconstruction Surgery.

Background:Intraoperative tissue desiccation is a risk factor for infection and wound necrosis. We hypothesized that maintaining a moist environment in the surgical field would reduce perioperative complications in free flap reconstruction for head and neck cancer surgery.Methods:A total of 331 patients who underwent free flap reconstruction after head and neck cancer surgery from January 2013 to December 2017 at Osaka International Cancer Institute were included in the study. We classified patients into two groups: those in whom saline was sprayed only during reconstruction (control group: 162 patients) and those in whom saline was sprayed in the surgical field intermittently during cancer resection and reconstruction (moisturized group: 169 patients). We compared perioperative complications, including intraoperative arterial anastomotic thrombosis, between the two groups. Other candidate risk factors for intraoperative arterial thrombosis that were assessed included a history of preoperative irradiation, history of neck surgery, advanced age, and flap type.Results:Rates of abscess formation and intraoperative arterial thrombosis were significantly lower in the moisturized group than in the control group (6.5% versus 12.7%, P < 0.05 and 3.0% versus 11.1%, P < 0.01, respectively). Binomial logistic regression analysis revealed that, in addition to no moisturization during cancer resection, advanced age and jejunal flap use were significant risk factors for intraoperative arterial thrombosis.Conclusions:Moisturization of the surgical field during cancer resection reduced the rate of perioperative complications in free flap reconstruction. Although simple, preventing desiccation of the surgical field by spraying saline solution intermittently had significant benefits on postoperative complications.

Fatal complications in reconstructive plastic surgery and ways of their prevention

The world experience and experience of the Institute of Microsurgery (Tomsk, Russia) in rescuing dying free flaps are summarized in the paper. The issues related to the prevention of vascular disorders, which in 85–95% of cases lead to fatal complications in the form of total necrosis of the reperfused flap, are discussed. We are talking about the immediate, early and late complications due to the compromise of blood flow along the vascular pedicle (arterial, venous, arterial-venous). Unlike irreversible disorders, temporary disturbances in blood supply in free flaps are caused by the consequences of primary ischemia and reperfusion. Their duration and reversibility depend on the tissue composition, i.e. from the anoxic resistance of the tissues constituting the flap and, of course, the structures that form the wall of the flap vessels themselves. With a short duration of primary ischemia (up to 1 hour) and compensated reperfusion syndrome, temporary vascular disorders are manifested by flap skin flushing and metabolic edema of its tissues, which disappear 10-40 minutes after reperfusion. The indications for revision of the vascular pedicle are doubts about the adequacy of blood flow in the flap due to the appearance of the first signs of anastomotic thrombosis. The highest rates of flap rescue are achieved after revision of the vascular pedicle no later than 90 minutes after the first signs of thrombosis appear. It is important that the surgeon performing these microvascular anastomoses does the revision. The development of technologies for rescuing a perishing flap has become especially relevant in the last decade. This is due to the rapid development of reconstructive microsurgery of head and neck tumors. In such patients, there is practically no alternative to free transplantation of tissue complexes for the reconstruction of the lower jaw, tongue, soft tissue defect of the lower face and neck. The main technical problem leading to fatal complications after transplantation of a radial, peroneal, anterolateral femur flap is the difficulty of finding recipient vessels suitable for revascularization in soft tissues previously exposed to radiation. The search for alternative recipient vessels during the primary reconstruction of defects, for example, in the oral cavity, is accompanied by a significant increase in the duration of primary ischemia (up to 3–4 hours) and the death of flaps. The preservation of the viability of such free flaps is possible only by their temporary extracorporeal perfusion with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. It is possible to preserve the viability of free flaps for 2 weeks (without microvascular anastomoses) during tertiary reconstruction of head and neck defects by continuous extracorporeal perfusion of the flap until it is completely engrafted in the recipient area. There is experience of using a tubular non-free radial flap on the long vascular pedicle of the radial vascular bundle (from the wrist to the ulnar fossa) in tertiary tissue reconstruction after removal of head and neck tumors.

180 Improving Wall Access When Using Double Clamps for Microsurgical Anastomosis – A New Technique

Abstract Microvascular techniques and instrumentation have continually evolved since the advent of clinical microsurgery in the 1970’s. These refinements and improved patient selection have led to increased vessel patency and flap survival rates. However, a fundamental principle which has not changed over this time period is comfort and proper operating microscope set-up. Both these factors were described as a precondition of microsurgical success by the late pioneer of microsurgery himself, Robert Acland. Suboptimal comfort or set-up can negatively impact on access to the surgical field leading to improper technique and if significant enough, anastomotic thrombosis. We describe a new technique aimed at improving wall access when using double clamps for microsurgical anastomosis.

Hybrid and Percutaneous Salvage of a Thrombosed Native Arteriovenous Fistula

Context: Outcomes of salvage procedures for thrombosed native arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are studied. Aims: The aim of this study is to assess the short- to mid-term results of percutaneous and hybrid approaches used for salvage of thrombosed native AVF. Settings and Design: This study design was a single-center, descriptive, prospective study. Materials and Methods: All patients undergoing hybrid or percutaneous salvage procedure between July 2018 and September 2019 were included in the study. Patient demographics, clinical, and operative details and follow-up data at 1 year were collected from a prospectively maintained database and subjected to statistical analysis. Salvage procedure selection and techniques were studied. Statistical Analysis: Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test.P&lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of 135 patients undergoing salvage procedure during the study period, 85 patients were included in the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The age of the study population ranged from 18 to 75 years with a mean of 53.33. 75.3% (n = 64) were males. Seventy-seven (90.58%) patients were hypertensive, 45 (52.94%) were diabetic, and 22 (25.88%) had coronary artery disease. The mean time to procedure from the failure of AVF was 8.22 days. The most common type of AVF was brachiocephalic (45.88% [n = 39]), followed by radiocephalic (36.47% [n = 31]) and basilic vein transposition (BVT) (17.64% [n = 15]). Stenotic sites were juxta anastomotic in 42 (49.41%), cephalic arch or axillary swing segment (for BVT) in 28 (32.94%), and intervening segment in 54 (63.52%). Sixty patients underwent hybrid salvage and 25 underwent percutaneous salvage procedure. Technical success was 88.23% on table and 83.53% at 24 h. Primary, primary assisted, and secondary patency was 67.86%, 82.14%, and 89.29% at 6 months and 50%, 68.75%, and 83.33% at 12 months. Anastomotic thrombosis was associated with significantly high technical failure (35.7% vs. 12.67%,P= 0.049). Conclusions: A combination of open and endovascular procedures to salvage thrombosed native AVF's is feasible and is associated with good short- and mid-term patency. A thrombosed anastomosis in a failed AVF decreases the success rate of salvage procedures.

Surgical Shunt Procedures in Childhood Portal Hypertension: A Review Article

Normal portal pressure is between 0 and 10 mmHg and the pressure in the portal vein is slightly higher than that of the pressure in the inferior vena cava [1]. Portal Hypertension (PH) is usually defined as either a hepatice venous pressure gradient greater than 5mmHg or hepatic venous wedge pressure greater than 10mmHg [2]. It is usually encountered as a complication arising from chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. Common presentation of PH in children include catastrophic variceal hemorrhage usually from esophagus. Other common clinical features of PH include splenomegaly, hypersplenism, ascites, encephalopathy, and hepatopulmonary syndrome and portopulmonary hypertension. It has been reported that up to 15% of children with PH ultimately require shunt surgery [2]. Traditionally shunt surgery was a treatment option for children in whom control of variceal bleeding failed however; it was associated with relatively high rate of anastomotic stricture or thrombosis [1]. Nowadays it has also been reported that as the experience in vascular and transplant surgery together with microsurgical techniques have improved good success rates can be achieved even in small children [1]. In this review article, it is aimed to review the surgical treatment options in children with PH with special regard to shunt procedures under the light of relevant literature.

Neoadjuvant radiotherapy for locally advanced and high-risk breast cancer.

Neoadjuvant radiotherapy (NART) as part of a multi-modality approach for locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) requires further investigation. Importantly, this approach may allow for a single-staged surgical procedure, with mastectomy and immediate autologous reconstruction. Multiple other potential benefits of NART include improved pathological downstaging of breast disease, reduced overall treatment time, elimination of time period with breast tissue deficit and improved patient satisfaction. This is a retrospective multi-institutional review of patients with LABC and high-risk breast disease undergoing NART. Eligible patients sequentially underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with or without HER2-targeted therapy, NART, followed by mastectomy with immediate autologous breast reconstruction (BR) 4- to 6 weeks post-completion of radiotherapy. Patient and tumour characteristics were analysed using descriptive statistics. Surgical complications were assessed using the Clavien-Dindo Classification (Ann Surg 2004; 240: 205). From 3/2013 to 9/2019, 153 patients were treated with NART. The median age was 47 years (IQR 42-52), with median body mass index of 27. Eighteen patients experienced Grade 3 acute surgical complications. This included 13 Grade 3B breast-site events and 9 Grade 3B donor-site events, where further surgical intervention was required for management of wound infection, wound dehiscence, flap or mastectomy skin necrosis, haematoma and internal mammary venous anastomotic thrombosis. No autologous flap loss was observed. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy facilitates a single-stage surgical procedure with mastectomy and immediate autologous BR, eliminating the delay to reconstructive surgery and thus shortening a woman's breast cancer journey. The findings of this review support the use of NART, with comparable rates of surgical complications to standard sequencing.

BRACHIAL ARTERY REPAIR IN TRAUMA PATIENTS - OUTCOME ANALYSIS

Introduction: RTA occurs commonly in young adults,so polytrauma including vascular injury is commonly managed in our institution,and this study is to analyse the out comes brachial artery injury repair Methods: This is a prospective study from august 2015 to may 2018,. All patients admitted with upper limb vascular trauma with brachial artery injury (n=27) included in our study. Results: Though graft thrombosis or anastomotic thrombosis seen in two patients,on 3rd or 4th post operative day, the limb salvage rate is 100% in our study. Conclusion: Since brachial artery injury commonly occurs in young individuals timely intervention saves the upper limb in most cases so that they can do their works which is essential for their family because they are the breadwinners of the family.

The Use of Botulinum Toxin to Prevent Anastomotic Thrombosis and Promote Flap Survival: A Bridge to Developing Clinical Studies.

Despite the possibility of using botulinum toxin to improve perfusion and prevent vasospasm, only a few studies have examined the use of botulinum toxin in the setting of flap surgery and thrombosis, and the mechanisms have not been fully explained. The primary objective of this study was to provide a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of botulinum toxin in anastomotic thrombosis prevention and surgical flap survival to determine the value of conducting large-scale human trials. Using the SYRCLE and CAMRADES criteria, a systematic review was performed. PubMed, Medline, EmBase, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies that met our eligibility criteria. Twenty studies were included in the final selection. A total of 397 subjects were included. Eighteen studies used botulinum toxin type A alone, one used botulinum toxin type B alone, and only one used both botulinum toxin type A and botulinum toxin type B. The most commonly used injection technique was a preoperative intradermal injection. The most common procedure performed was a pedicled flap with random pattern skin flaps (65%). The mean injection dose was 28.17 ± 49.21 IU, whereas the mean reported injection time for studies using animal models was 7.4 ± 6.84 days. Similar mechanisms demonstrated in animal models may be replicable in humans, allowing botulinum toxin to be used to prolong flap survival. However, many factors, such as optimal injection techniques, dosages, and long-term outcomes of botulinum use in flap surgery, need to be further assessed before applying this to clinical practice.

Proximal Trauma Increases Risk of Venous Thrombosis in Soft Tissue Reconstruction of Open Lower Limb Fractures.

Lower limb salvage after major trauma is a complex undertaking. For patients who have suffered multi-level trauma to their lower limb we postulated that pelvic injury or ipsilateral lower limb injury proximal to the site of a free flap may increase the rate of post-operative complications. All patients who underwent lower limb free flap reconstruction as a result of acute trauma between January 2010 and December 2017 were included. The patients were divided into the study group (50 patients), who sustained a lower limb or pelvic injury proximal to the free flap site, and control group (91 patients) who did not sustain proximal lower limb or pelvic trauma. Complication rates were compared between the two groups. Overall, the proximal trauma group anastomotic thrombosis rate of 18.0% was significantly higher than the control group thrombosis rate of 2.2%. There was no statically significant difference in rates of hematoma, swelling or infection. Flap loss rate in the proximal trauma group was 4.0%, compared to the control group at 2.2%. All patients with a failed flap went onto have a successful reconstruction with a subsequent flap in the acute admission and there were no amputations. In the proximal injury study group despite the significantly increased rate of microvascular thrombosis requiring revision, the ultimate primary free flap survival rate was still 96%. Overall, severe coexisting proximal trauma predicted a higher venous microvascular complication rate but was not a contraindication to limb salvage.

Successful Microsurgical Reconstruction for Limb Salvage in a COVID-19-Positive Patient: A Case Report

Abstract Background Although the novel 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic delayed elective microsurgical reconstruction cases, traumatic injuries requiring microsurgical reconstruction for limb salvage still presented to our hospital. Recent data suggests a link between COVID-19 and increased venous and arterial thromboembolic events, theoretically increasing the risk of microvascular anastomotic thrombosis and flap failure. Methods We provide a single case report of microsurgical limb salvage in a COVID-19-positive patient with a Gustilo IIIb open tibial-fibular fracture. Results A free latissimus dorsi muscle flap was used to successfully cover a Gustilo IIIb open tibial-fibular fracture with exposed orthopedic hardware and large soft tissue defect, with 5-month follow-up demonstrating a well-healed flap allowing for preserved ambulation. Conclusion Although there is a theoretical increased incidence of venous and arterial thrombotic microvascular failure in COVID-19-positive patients, microsurgical reconstruction is occasionally the lone option for salvage. Microsurgical reconstruction in this population must be carefully considered, meticulously executed, and closely monitored.

Does Laterality of Lower Extremity Donor Site Affect Outcomes in Microvascular Soft Tissue Lower Extremity Reconstruction?

There are many different variables to consider in lower extremity microvascular soft tissue reconstruction including flap choice. Our aim is to objectively evaluate recipient complications related to lower extremity donor flap laterality. A total of 77 lower extremity soft tissue reconstructions utilizing microvascular free tissue transfers for Gustilo type III between 1979 and 2016 were collected. We compared complication rates between ipsilateral and contralateral donor sites relative to the injured leg. The following parameters were analyzed: overall complications, total flap failure, partial flap failure, major complications, operative takebacks, and salvage rates. In this study, 25 ipsilateral reconstructions were performed, while 52 cases utilized the contralateral leg. Overall complication rates were higher in the ipsilateral group (40.0%) compared with the contralateral side (23.1%) but were not statistically significant (p = 0.12). The ipsilateral group was four times as likely to experience vascular compromise (24.0 vs. 5.8%; p = 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in complications, flap failures or flap survival. Mean operative time was significantly greater in the same side group as compared with the contralateral group (11.3 vs. 7.5 hours; p = 0.006). Although there is a higher risk of anastomotic thrombosis, particularly venous thrombosis, associated with ipsilateral donor-site group, there were no significant differences in complications or flap survival. Flaps can be harvested from a traumatized leg with acceptable complication rates while avoiding the morbidity of operating on an uninjured limb.

Multivariable analysis for flap-related complications in autologous breast reconstruction and economic analysis of intraoperative indocyanine green angiography

To investigate the influencing factors of flap-related complications and the economic benefits of intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) angiography in the patients undergoing autologous breast reconstruction. Between July 2013 and June 2018, the clinical data of 150 patients (152 breasts) who met the selection criteria after autologous breast reconstruction were analyzed retrospectively. Ten factors including age, body mass index, preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC), chest radiation history, diabetes, abdominal operation history, chest wall reconstruction, reconstruction timing, flap type, intraoperative ICG angiography were analyzed by univariate analysis. Significant variables found in univariate analysis were used to perform backward multivariate logistic regression of flap related complications and local necrosis. According to the above multi factor analysis results, the patients were divided into 4 groups: ICG+NC group (group A), ICG+non-NC group (group B), non-ICG+NC group (group C), non-ICG+non-NC group (group D). The average extra costs of surgical treatment (including ICG imaging cost+cost of handling flap related complications) of each group was calculated. All the 152 flaps survived. There were 33 flap-related complications, including 22 regional necrosis, 9 regional infection, 5 hematoma, 5 simple fat liquefaction, and 2 anasto-motic thrombosis. Univariate analysis showed that preoperative NC, flap type, and intraoperative ICG angiography had significant influence on the incidence of flap-related complications ( P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that preoperative NC and non-ICG angiography were the risk factors of flap-related complications ( P<0.05), and also the risk factors of regional flap necrosis ( P<0.05). For patients who had NC, intraoperative ICG angiography could greatly save the average extra costs. The average extra costs in group A was 1 378 yuan less than that in group C. For the patients without NC, intraoperative ICG angiography would increase the average extra costs, which was 747 yuan in group B more than that in group D. In autologous breast reconstruction, ICG angiography can reduce the incidence of flap-related complications, especially the incidence of regional flap necrosis, while NC is the opposite. For patients without NC, ICG angiography is not cost-effective but still can be used if conditions permit. However, for those with NC, ICG angiography is cost-effective and recommended.

Anastomotic arterial thrombosis in microvascular surgery

Anastomotic arterial thrombosis in microvascular surgery

Do two venous anastomoses decrease venous thrombosis during limb reconstruction?

The optimal number of veins to be anastomosed in perforator flaps for limb reconstruction and its influence on the results remain controversial. Venous thrombosis of microvascular anastomoses is a commonly recorded complication in soft tissue reconstruction. To evaluate the effect of two venous anastomoses in the incidence of venous thrombosis for limb reconstruction using anterolateral thigh (ALT) microsurgical free flaps. This was a cross-sectional study on patients undergoing limb reconstruction using ALT flap during 2014-2017. Perioperative information was recorded and patients were divided in two groups: group 1 (one venous anastomosis; 17 patients) and group 2 (two venous anastomoses; 21 patients). Complications were investigated. Overall, 38 microsurgical flaps were included. The mean age was 33 years, and 32 patients were male. The most prevalent wounds were traumatic. Group 1 presented a higher complication rate than group 2 (47% vs. 24%; p = 0.065), although the difference was not significant. Group 1 presented a higher rate of venous anastomotic thrombosis (p = 0.032) than group 2. The overall success rate was 92%. For limb reconstruction using ALT microsurgical free flaps, two venous anastomoses are associated with a low rate of venous thrombosis in microvascular anastomoses.

Ultrasound-assisted microsurgical left spermatic-inferior epigastric vein anastomosis for treating nutcracker syndrome-associated varicocele.

The study summarizes the effectiveness of ultrasound-assisted microsurgical left spermatic-inferior epigastric vein anastomosis for treating nutcracker syndrome (NCS)-associated varicocele. Cases of NCS-associated varicocele were recruited between December 2012 and December 2018. Prior to the operation, all patients were tested for the internal diameter and blood flow velocity of left renal vein, testicular volume, maximum venous diameter and venous retrograde flow in the pampiniform plexus of veins during the Valsalva maneuver by Color Doppler ultrasound. Moreover, the direction of left spermatic and inferior epigastric vein was marked. All patients underwent ligation of the internal spermatic veins and left spermatic-inferior epigastric vein anastomosis under microscopy. Color Doppler ultrasound, urinary and semen analysis (above age 18years old) were reviewed during the follow-up period. 53 patients (94.6%) underwent spermatic-inferior epigastric vein anastomosis with the mean operation time of 78.4 ± 14.2min. The hospital stay was 4-7days. Scrotal hydrocele, wound infection and testicular atrophy did not occur after operation. However, there were 5 cases of left varicocele recurrence and 2 cases of vascular anastomotic thrombosis. 51 cases had decrease in blood peak flow rate of left renal vein and improvement in nutcracker syndrome while scrotal bulge symptoms resolved in 26 cases. 10 cases had microscopic hematuria disappearance with symptom improvement in 2 cases. 19 cases of left testicular hypotrophy experience no further deterioration after surgery, of which 16 cases had catch-up testicular growth. Ultrasound-assisted microsurgical left spermatic-inferior epigastric vein anastomosis assisted is safe, easy and effective for treating nutcracker syndrome-associated varicocele.

Vascular suture line wrapping for Aortoiliac anastomoses following open surgical repair of Infrarenal Beh\xe7et\u2019s Aortoiliac aneurysms

BackgroundThis study was conducted to evaluate our local experiences of adjunctive mechanical prosthetic wrapping for aortoiliac vascular anastomoses as a prophylactic measure following surgical repair of Behçet’s aortoiliac aneurysms. The goal of prosthetic wrapping to reinforce the vascular anastomoses by mechanical protection to reduce the bleeding complications, and consequently pseudoaneurysm formation. This was aided by the administration of pre- and postoperative immunosuppressive therapy as an adjuvant treatment.MethodsA seven-year retrospective study was conducted between January 2006 and December 2012, retrieving data of patients with Behçet’s aortoiliac aneurysms. All patients underwent open surgical repair using a heparin-bonded synthetic Dacron® graft. Data for all patients were retrieved and analyzed for diagnostic procedures, graft selection, as well as, different methods of surgical repair. Graft-related complications such as anastomotic pseudoaneurysms, occlusion, and thrombosis were also reported.ResultsSixteen patients were recruited in this study. There were 11 (69%) males and 5 (31%) females with the male to female ratio 2:1. The patients’ age ranged between 25 and 47 years with the mean of 36.4 ± 7.3. All Behçet’s aortic/aortoiliac aneurysms were repaired by the application of heparin-bonded Dacron® tube and bifurcated grafts. The anastomotic wrapping technique was performed for both the proximal and the distal vascular anastomoses. The technical success of aortoiliac aneurysm and wrapping techniques was achieved in 100% of patients. All patients were given pre- and postoperative systemic immunosuppressive therapy. No graft-related complications were reported except for only one anastomotic pseudoaneurysm that developed at one of the right iliac anastomoses, that developed within 24 months after follow up.ConclusionsMechanical prosthetic wrapping for vascular anastomoses in patients with Behçet’s aortic/aortoiliac aneurysms is a feasible, simple, and reliable technique with low morbidity and mortality. It was performed as a prophylactic measure to avoid the development of postoperative anastomotic pseudoaneurysms. It must be performed for all patients with Behçet’s arterial aneurysms whenever possible. Furthermore, the supplemental administration of pre- and postoperative systemic immunosuppressive therapy should be considered as an important factor for the prophylaxis and prevention of anastomotic pseudoaneurysms and other graft-related complications.

Protocol for a systematic review of venous coupler devices versus hand-sewn anastomosis for microsurgical free flap reconstruction

BackgroundA patent microvascular anastomosis is of paramount importance in free tissue transfer. Anastomotic coupler devices provide an alternative to technically demanding hand-sewn venous anastomosis. Various advantages of these devices have been discussed but previous systematic reviews had methodological flaws or did not perform a meta-analysis. This review aims to evaluate the quality of the evidence and quantify the efficacy and safety of venous couplers compared to hand-sewn anastomosis.MethodsA PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis will be performed. A comprehensive search strategy has been developed and will be applied to the databases MEDLINE and Embase from inception to October 2018. All clinical studies using anastomotic coupler devices for venous anastomoses in free tissue transfer will be eligible for inclusion. Screening of studies and data extraction will be performed independently by two authors. Our primary outcome is anastomotic venous thrombosis. Secondary outcomes will include time to complete the venous anastomosis, tearing of veins, anastomotic leakage, flap loss/failure and fiscal outcomes. The risk of bias for included studies will be assessed by using the ROBINS-I tool, and recommendations based on the evidence will be made using the GRADE approach. Descriptive statistical analyses will be used and if two or more studies report the same outcome, data will be pooled for comparative analysis. A direct comparison meta-analysis will be performed if possible.DiscussionThere has been no comparison of coupled and hand-sewn venous anastomoses using a robust and validated methodology preceded by a protocol and performing meta-analysis. Included studies are expected to be mainly observational and prone to bias; however, there is value in summarising the evidence, assessing its risk of bias and performing meta-analysis to guide clinicians. By using a broad approach including all types of flaps, we foresee inherent differences regarding the unit of analysis and different anatomic sites. This will limit the validity of our conclusions but is unavoidable. We will seek unpublished data from authors and perform subgroup analysis where appropriate. Limitations and areas of uncertainty will be discussed to guide future research.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42018110111