Reconstructive Microsurgery Research Articles

Interdisciplinary Plastic Surgery - Chances, Conditions and Barriers of Reconstructive Microsurgery in Maximum Care Hospitals

The introduction of free tissue transfers has revolutionized reconstructive purposes. This is particularly important after extensive traumas, profound infections and tumor resections. Nevertheless, independent plastic surgery centers are not available at 11 of 35 university hospitals in Germany. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the importance of reconstructive microsurgery at a university hospital in interdisciplinary cooperation on the basis of cases treated in one year. In 2018, 47 patients at one site underwent 50 microvascular free flap reconstructions. The data were retrospectively screened for patients' demographics, comorbidities, perioperative and postoperative details, interdisciplinary context, hospitalization, complications, and final outcomes. Fifty free tissue flap transfers were performed after complex traumas (23.4 %), infections (25.5 %), tumor resections (42.6 %), PAD (4.2 %) and secondary lymphoedema (4.2 %). In 76.6 % of the patients, microsurgical reconstruction was performed in interdisciplinary cooperation (trauma surgery: 19.1 %, neurosurgery: 19.1 %, thoracic surgery: 4.3 %, heart surgery: 2.1 %, vascular surgery: 2.1 %, orthopedics: 25.5 %, internal medicine: 4.3 %), with 89.2 % involving at least two different departments. Postoperatively, 43.2 % of the free flaps were treated on a non-plastic surgical ward. Reconstructive plastic surgery is of central importance in the treatment of complex surgical defect reconstructions after tumor resections, infections or traumas. Also plastic surgery contributes substantially to the treatment of complications occurring in other specialties. For those reasons, an independent and adequately staffed department of plastic surgery should be available at all clinics of maximum care, especially at all 35 university hospitals in Germany. As this is currently not the standard of care in Germany, changes are required.

The Reporting Quality of Randomized Controlled Trial Abstracts in Plastic Surgery.

When evaluating randomized controlled trials (RCTs), clinicians will often refer to the abstract for an initial assessment of the results and to determine whether a full-text review is warranted. This project aims to assess the reporting quality of RCT abstracts published within the top 5 plastic surgery journals utilizing the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) for abstracts checklist. A computerized database search of OVID MEDLINE was performed. All primary RCTs published within the top 5 plastic surgery journals (by 2016 International Scientific Indexing impact factor) from 2011 to 2018 were included. Two reviewers, blinded to journal and author, independently and in duplicate, scored abstracts employing the 16-item CONSORT for abstracts checklist. This review identified 126 RCTs that satisfied the inclusion criteria. Included studies were distributed across 5 journals: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (n = 83), JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery (n = 8), Aesthetic Surgery Journal (n = 33), Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery (n = 2), and the Journal of Hand Surgery-European Volume (n = 0). Mean overall item adherence across all abstracts was 7 (SD ± 2). The most poorly reported items were "trial registration," "method of randomization," and "source of trial funding" and appeared in 4%, 2.4%, and 0% of abstracts, respectively. There is limited adherence to the CONSORT for abstracts checklist among RCT abstracts published within the top 5 plastic surgery journals. Given the reliance of clinicians on abstract reporting, omitting essential trial details can lead to an inaccurate interpretation of trial results and improper application in clinical practice. Active endorsement of the CONSORT for abstracts checklist is required to improve the quality of RCT abstract reporting.

Enhancing Safety in Reconstructive Microsurgery Using Intraoperative Indocyanine Green Angiography.

Intraoperative assessing and postoperative monitoring of the viability of free flaps is of high relevance in reconstructive microsurgery. Today different methods for the evaluation of tissue perfusion are known. Indocyanine Green angiography is an emerging technique among plastic surgeons with a broad scope of applications especially in microsurgical free flap transfer. We demonstrate the value and clinical application of this technique based on representative selected cases where Indocyanine Green angiography was used in microsurgical free flap transfers from different anatomic donor sites during the operation. Hereby perforator selection, flap tailoring, changes of blood flow and patency of anastomoses was judged and decision making was based on the angiographic findings. This method has proven to be valid, reproducible and easy to use. The application is not limited to the evaluation of skin perfusion, but is also applicable to muscle tissue or chimeric or composite flaps. Reliable judgement is especially given for the extent of arterially perfused tissue following complete flap dissection. Moreover, this real-time angiography revealed a high sensitivity for the detection of poorly perfused flap areas, thus supporting the conventional clinical judgement and reducing complications. In summary Indocyanine Green angiography has the potential to reduce flap related complications and to contribute to enhancing and extending the possibilities of free flap surgery.

Der interdisziplinäre Mikrochirurg – Ergebnisse des Konsensus-Workshops der Deutschsprachigen Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Mikrochirurgie der peripheren Nerven und Gefäße am Beispiel unterschiedlicher Board-Formate

Plastic and reconstructive surgery is characterized by a high degree of interdisciplinarity. Although Plastic surgery offers a wide range of reliable surgical treatment options independent departments for plastic and reconstructive surgery are not present in every university clinic or leading hospital in Germany. However, the ongoing improvements especially in the field of reconstructive microsurgery enabled and enhanced the treatment of complex defects in order to restore function as well as cosmetic outcome. Knowing the fact that patients are usually referred from other medical disciplines that are familiar with the development and treatment of the primary disease, creation of an interdisciplinary reconstructive treatment plan is crucial to guarantee best patient care. Thus, one of the future major challenges in plastic surgery will be the establishment of multidisciplinary boards in order to strengthen the role of plastic surgery within the medical system with the overall aim to solve complex reconstructive cases. During the 39th annual meeting of the German Speaking Society for Microsurgery of Peripheral Nerves and Vessels a workshop titled "The interdisciplinary microsurgeon" addressed this topic. In the present article we will highlight the consented results of the workshop and provide pitfalls and pearls concerning the implementation process of different multidisciplinary boards based on representative examples.

Porcine experimental model for gracilis free flap transfer to the head and neck area with novel donor site description

Functional free tissue transfer in the form of muscle free flap is a challenging surgical procedure and needs a steep learning curve. A porcine model for free muscle transfer and insetting in a distant area is of great interest in reconstructive microsurgery due to the experience and learning curve necessary to perform these surgeries. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a swine model for gracilis muscle free transfer and to describe the donor site anatomy. Ten gracilis free flap transfer surgery models were performed under general anesthesia in a porcine model, based on a vascular pedicle depending of the external iliac vessels and a branch of the obturator nerve with microsuture mediated connection to head and neck nerves and vessels. The gracilis myocutaneous or muscle-only free flap was successfully transferred in all cases using as receptors the vagus nerve, the common carotid artery, and the external or internal jugular veins. In two cases, nervous connection had to be redone. All vascular anastomoses were correctly functioning. Despite the anatomical and design variations, porcine gracilis free flap transferred to the head and neck area with microvascular anastomosis and nerve connection provides a suitable training model for functional reconstructive microsurgery.

Postsurgical antithrombotic therapy in microsurgery: our protocol and literature review.

Despite the improvements reached by microsurgeons in the last 30 years, postoperative complications still occur and most of them are the result of venous thrombosis at the pedicle anastomosis. Primary prevention of thrombosis is mandatory and anticoagulant therapy in the preoperative and postoperative period is widely used. Still, there is a lack of consensus in the literature about the best postoperative protocol for microsurgical reconstruction. The authors aimed to review the postoperative antithrombotic regimens described in literature focusing on their effects and risks, and moreover, share their experience. The authors performed a literature review of postsurgical antithrombotic protocols applied in reconstructive microsurgery. Research on PubMed server was performed typing the terms "antithrombotic", "postoperative", "microsurgery", "free flap pedicle", "anticlotting", "anticoagulant". The authors described the postoperative standardized pro-weight pharmacological protocol applied in their unit: a combination of dextran and heparin. They inhibit more than one pattern of coagulation in order to stop platelet aggregation and thrombin action and, in the meantime, contending fluid loss with plasma expansion. Nowadays, a non-standardized practice, based on experience, is applied by microsurgeons in postsurgical care; the authors performed a review of the combined antithrombotic therapies described in the literature. A standardized pro-weight pharmacological protocol is proposed; it allows to increase blood flow by volume expander action (Dextran) and thrombin inhibition (Heparin). Still, coagulation cascade and platelet function have a wide variability among humans, as well as the effect of drugs. Achieving an optimal antithrombotic effect and minimizing adverse reactions meantime remains a challenge.

Northwestern and Other Historical Vignettes regarding the Vascular Anastomotic Coupling Device.

The vascular anastomotic coupling device is a widely used and effective aid to reconstructive microsurgery. Although there is a long history of innovators connected with this device, the current design of 6 interdigitating holes and pins was created de novo by a Northwestern medical student in 1960.

Microsurgery Techniques for Patients with Traumatic Thumb Amputation

Introduction. Traumatic amputations of a thumb may happen as a result of severe mechanical injuries with the primary detachment and destruction of tissues, or following deep burns, frostbites or ischemia. In 70 to 80% of cases of disability and the loss of occupational fitness the key causes are traumatic digit and hand amputations. In 50% of cases the loss of ability to work is due to an amputation of a thumb. This makes the issue of thumb reconstruction a priority in surgery of the hand.Materials and methods. This paper presents our experience in the reconstruction of the functional abilities of the hand in 48 patients with traumatic amputations of a thumb. This was performed with the use of reconstructive plastic microsurgery techniques, namely the free transplantation of a second toe onto the hand. All the patients had a thumb stump at the level of the distal part of the metacarpal bone or the proximal part of the proximal phalanx.Results and discussion. A positive outcome was achieved in 45 out of the 48 patients treated. Autograft necrosis occurred in three cases. For these patients the thumb reconstruction was performed with the use of other, less functional methods. The functional condition of the hand manifested an improvement according to the electromyography data obtained at the maximum tonic tension of the thenar eminence muscles, flexor and extensor muscles of the reconstructed digit. In all the cases the hand strength increased by 40 to 90% after the reconstructive surgery; the authors attribute this to the recovery of the key handgrip abilities. According to Doppler ultrasonography data the blood flow velocity and the level of blood filling increased in the hand treated.Conclusion. The reconstruction of functional abilities of the hand with traumatic thumb amputation must be carried out taking into account the available methods of surgical correction and which one of these would be optimal, the evaluation of the patient’s mental status and his or her drive for the fastest possible recovery of the shape and function of the hand. The free autograft of a second toe in place of the lost thumb with microsurgical vascular anastomoses makes it possible to restore most completely the aesthetic and functional abilities of the hand in the shortest possible timeframe.

Challenges in global reconstructive microsurgery: The sub-Saharan african surgeons’ perspective

BackgroundMicrosurgery is an essential element of plastic surgery practice. However, it remains unavailable or rudimentary in several developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This study presents the local plastic surgeons experience, while focusing on specific challenges encountered and methods to improve the sub-Saharan global microsurgery practice. MethodologyAn online survey was sent to all plastic surgeons registered with the College of Surgeons East Central and Southern Africa and respective national plastic surgical societies in the east central and southern Africa regional community. A total of 57 questionnaires were sent. Surgeons' country of practice, years of experience and rate of performing microsurgical procedures were considered. ResultsThe survey response rate was 56% (n = 32). Most participants believed microsurgery was essential in the region. The leading challenge was inadequate perioperative care, mainly attributed to shortage of support staff (n = 29, 91%). Others were lack of surgical expertise and resources. Interestingly, public unawareness of the benefits of microsurgery was also noted as a critical hindrance. The foremost suggestion on improvement (n = 19, 59%) was to enhance training with a multidisciplinary team-building approach. Others included increased advocacy, publications and funding. ConclusionThe Plastic surgeons' perspective recognizes the needs of Global Reconstructive Microsurgery in sub-Saharan Africa. However, inadequate perioperative care, insufficient expertise, lack of equipment and lack of public awareness were major hindrances. Finally, there is a need to improve microsurgery in the region through advocacy, training and multidisciplinary team building.

Modified Kunlin's Technique for Microsurgical End-to-End Anastomoses: A Series of 100 Flaps.

In 1949, a French vascular surgeon, Jean Kunlin, first described a venous end-to-side anastomotic technique to address large vessel size mismatches. It was later modified by Dr. Robert Linton for end-to-end (ETE) anastomoses on the "macrovascular" scale. While multiple procedures exist for addressing moderate caliber discrepancies, few safely and reliably compensate for marked diameter differences at the microvascular level. In this study, we present the first large series adapting a modified geometric Kunlin's technique for arterial and venous ETE anastomoses in reconstructive microsurgery. We reviewed 100 consecutive cases of free flap reconstructions from 2006 to 2015 utilizing a modified geometric Kunlin's technique for arterial and venous ETE anastomoses. Patient demographics and flap outcomes were analyzed. Overall flap survival rates and postoperative complications were analyzed and compared with standard values in the microsurgical literature. A total of 146 ETE anastomoses from 100 free flaps were analyzed. The average patient age was 51 ± 3.1 years (range: 10-84 years). Free flaps in this study were used for gender confirmation phalloplasties (20%) and reconstructing defects of the head and neck (63%), extremities (16%), and trunk (1%). There was a total of 17 takebacks including 5 for hematoma, 8 for anastomotic thromboses (6 venous), and 4 without any identifiable complication. Of these takebacks, two partial and two complete flap losses occurred. There was an 88% salvage rate for flaps requiring takebacks during the postoperative period. Overall, flap survival rate was 98% including those with complications or takebacks. The modified Kunlin's technique is a reliable, facile, and versatile method of performing ETE anastomoses for arterial and venous vessels, especially with vessel diameter mismatches of 3:1 or greater, as well as for challenging orientations. Notably, it provides equivalent flap survival and complication rates as compared with other techniques in the microsurgical literature.

Implementation of an easy-to-follow standardized chart for free flaps clinical monitoring during the start of a head and neck microsurgery unit in a tertiary hospital

Successful head and neck reconstructive microsurgery requires a multidisciplinary approach involving specialists such as maxillofacial surgeons, plastic surgeons, otolaryngologists, anaesthesiologists, and nurses. It requires strict perioperative management of the patient, with special attention paid to parameters such as blood pressure, ventilation, and bleeding, which can all impact flap perfusion. In high-volume centers, specially-trained microsurgery units are available for optimal control of flap monitoring and management of all aspects of patient care. However, during the beginning of a microsurgery unit at a hospital unfamiliar with the demands of this field, easy-to-follow, but effective, measures must be in place to ensure adoption and adherence to post-operative care principles that confer higher success rates in head and neck cancer patients undergoing free flap reconstruction. While frequent observations can be labor-intensive, clinical monitoring remains the most suitable method during this early period and requires appropriate experience to be effective. Our aim is to emphasize the importance of clinical monitoring during the beginnings of a microsurgery unit by introducing an easy-to-follow clinical monitoring chart that covers both intraluminal and extraluminal causes of free flap compromise.

How reconstructive microsurgery can be performed in Nonurban State Hospitals: Experience and problems

How reconstructive microsurgery can be performed in Nonurban State Hospitals: Experience and problems

The ‘Orochi’ Flap Concept: Multi-Stage Combined Flap Using Sequential Flaps

Prof. Koushima, president of World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, proposes an innovative concept and technique of the multi-stage ‘Orochi’ combined flaps (sequential flaps in parallel). The technique opens a new vista in reconstructive microsurgery.

Combined use of ischemic preconditioning and postconditioning in a skin flap model in rats

Purpose: Reperfusion injury (RI) by abrupt restoration of circulation after prolonged ischemia remains an unsolved problem in reconstructive microsurgery. We hypothesized that the combination of ischemic preconditioning (IPreC) and ischemic postconditioning (IPostC) would result in additional preservation of epigastric skin flaps in rats after the ischemic period. Materials and Methods: We used epigastric artery skin flaps measuring 6 cm × 3 cm in 40 Wistar rats. The animals were allocated randomly into four groups: (1) Control, (2) IPreC, (3) IPostC, and (4) IPreC + IPostC group. Flap viability was assessed 1 week after the surgical procedure, and surviving flap area was recorded as a percentage of the whole flap area.Results: Animals in the IPreC, IPostC, and IPreC + IPostC groups showed significantly smaller areas of flap necrosis than those in the control group (P = 0.001). Statistical analyses indicated significant differences between the IPreC group and IPostC group (P = 0.008). However, there were no significant differences between the IPreC group and IPreC + IPostC group (P = 0.453) or between the IPostC group and the IPreC + IPostC group (P = 0.141). Conclusions: IPreC and IPostC showed protective effects against ischemia-reperfusion injury in the epigastric skin flap model. IPostC showed a greater protective effect than IPostC. The combination of preconditioning and postconditioning provided no additional benefit over either intervention performed alone in the skin flap model.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat microvascular skin free flap model: A histological, genetic, and blood flow study.

Ischemia reperfusion injury is associated with tissue damage and inflammation, and is one of the main factors causing flap failure in reconstructive microsurgery. Although ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a well-studied aspect of flap survival, its biological mechanisms remain to be elucidated. To better understand the biological processes of ischemia reperfusion injury, and to develop further therapeutic strategies, the main objective of this study was to identify the gene expression pattern and histological changes in an I/R injury animal model. Fourteen rats (n = 7/group) were randomly divided into control or ischemia-reperfusion group (8 hours of ischemia). Microsurgical anastomoses were objectively assessed using transit-time-ultrasound technology. Seven days after surgery, flap survival was evaluated and tissue samples were harvested for anatomopathological and gene-expression analyses.The I/R injury reduced the survival of free flaps and histological analyses revealed a subcutaneous edema together with an inflammatory infiltrate. Interestingly, the Arginase 1 expression level as well as the ratio of Arginase 1/Nitric oxide synthase 2 showed a significant increase in the I/R group. In summary, here we describe a well-characterized I/R animal model that may serve to evaluate therapeutic agents under reproducible and controlled conditions. Moreover, this model could be especially useful for the evaluation of arginase inhibitors and different compounds of potential interest in reconstructive microsurgery.

Effects of Technological Innovations on Reconstructive Microsurgery; Flap Monitoring Systems After Free Tissue Transfer, Yesterday and Today

Effects of Technological Innovations on Reconstructive Microsurgery; Flap Monitoring Systems After Free Tissue Transfer, Yesterday and Today

CURRENT PROCEDURES IN HAND REPLANTATIONS - PARTICULAR LEVEL OF TRAUMATIC UPPER LIMB AMPUTATION

Amputations in the upper extremity due to trauma are, by definition, devastating injuries that involve multiple critical structures of the fingers, hand, arm, or any combination of the three and nearly always lead to significant disabilities, both directly and through their psychosocial impact. Replantation is defined as the reattachment of a part that has been completely cut off and the reconnection of the damaged vascular structures. Chances of viability depend on the degree of vascular, bone, muscle and nerve lesions, the level of amputation, the trauma mechanism, the pacient’s age and comorbidities, the ischemia time while the functional recovery is assessed according to the following criteria: the active range of motion, the two-point discrimination sensibility ratings, the grip and pinch strength, the cold intolerance, and the return to previous employment. We report a case of a man D.V., aged 51, with a non-pathological personal history, admitted in April 2014 in the Emergency Hospital of Bucharest with the diagnostic “Severe injury by circular right upper limb. Hand amputation from radiocarpal joint, 3 hours old”. The pacient was urgently transported in the operating room, where the right hand replantation was performed. He was first hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit, then he was transferred in the Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Microsurgery Clinic. Post-operatively, the results were favorable, our patient achieved at 6 months evaluation S3+ and M4 on British Medical Research Council‘s scale.

A Device for Determining the Optimum Graft Length in Reconstructive Microsurgery

In this work, the principle of operation of a device for determination of the optimum length of grafts used in reconstructive surgery of damaged tendons, vessels, and nerves is described. Clinical tests of the device showed that it can be recommended for broad use.

Intraoperative Indocyanine Green Angiography for Fat Necrosis Reduction in the Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) Flap

Fat necrosis is a frequent complication (up to 62.5%) of microsurgical breast reconstruction using the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap. This could have important clinical and psychological repercussions, deteriorating the results and increasing reconstruction costs. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the intraoperative use of indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) to reduce fat necrosis in DIEP flap. Sixty-one patients who underwent unilateral DIEP flap procedures for breast reconstruction after oncological mastectomy were included (24 cases with intraoperative use of ICGA during surgery, 37 cases in the control group). The follow-up period was 1 year after surgery. The association between the use of ICGA and the incidence of fat necrosis in the first postoperative year, differences in fat necrosis grade (I-V), differences in fat necrosis requiring reoperation, quality of life, and patient satisfaction were analyzed. The incidence of fat necrosis was reduced from 59.5% (control group) to 29% (ICG-group) (P = 0.021) (relative risk = 0.49 [95% CI, 0.25-0.97]). The major difference was in grade II (27% vs 2.7%, P = 0.038). The number of second surgeries for fat necrosis treatment was also reduced (45.9% vs 20.8%, P = 0.046). The ICG group had higher scores on the BREAST-Q. Intraoperative ICGA is a useful technique for reconstructive microsurgery that might improve patient satisfaction and reduce the incidence of fat necrosis by half as well as reduce its grade, especially in small fat necrosis cases; consequently, ICGA could reduce the number of secondary surgeries for treatment of fat necrosis.

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Discomfort and Injury in Microsurgeons.

Long surgical procedures with loupe magnification and microscopes may put microsurgeons at an increased risk of musculoskeletal discomfort. Identifying the prevalence and impact of work-related musculoskeletal discomfort may guide preventive strategies to prolong well-being, job satisfaction, and career duration. An online 29-question survey was designed to evaluate work-related musculoskeletal discomfort. The survey was created and distributed electronically through a private survey research center and was sent to the members of the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery. There were 117 respondents (16.7% response rate): 80% were men; 69% were aged 31 to 50 years; and 68% were in academic practice. On a scale of 0 to 10 (0, no pain and 10, worst pain), the median for work-related musculoskeletal discomfort for surgery without loupes or microscope was 2; with loupes, 4; and with a microscope, 5. Pain was most common in the neck. Half of the surgeons reported pain within 4 hours of surgery, and 57% feared that pain would influence future surgical performance. Surgeon discomfort affected posture (72%), stamina (36%), sleep (29%), relationships (25%), concentration (22%), and surgical speed (19%). Tremor caused by the discomfort occurred in 8%. Medical treatment for discomfort was sought by 29%. Time off work for treatment occurred for 8%. Work-related musculoskeletal discomfort can affect many aspects of a microsurgeon's life and has the potential to limit a surgeon's ability to operate. Therefore, more emphasis is needed in the surgical community on the important issues of occupational health and surgical ergonomics for microsurgeons.