The preliminary application of microvascular anastomotic device for free flap transfer in head and neck cancer patients with locally advanced lesion / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effect of vein anastomosis by microvascular anastomotic device in head and neck reconstruction.Methods Sixteen cases needing free flaps were randomly selected in head and neck cancer patients with locally advanced lesion.Their veins were anastomosed by microvascular anastomotic device.Other 40 cases whose veins were anastomosed by manual anastomosis were selected as control during the same year.The statistical data of the time of veins anastomosis,thrombosis and the rate of flaps salvage were compared.Results The average time of venous anastomosis was 6.31 ± 0.87 minutes,which was lower than the manual anastomosis (19.20 ±4.62 minutes) significantly.There was no thrombosis,which was not significant different with the manual anastomosis.One case's venous blood flow was not smooth for the angled vein and the flap salvage operation was successful.Conclusion The time of venous anastomosis is shorten significantly by microvascular anastomotic device.The incidence of thrombosis is the same compared with venous anastomoses performed with sutures.The microvascular anastomotic device system allowed a time-efficient and safe venous anastomosis.