"Extracorporeal loop" (blind loop): an alternative microsurgical technique for prelaminated flap transfer

Free tissue transfer is frequently used for reconstruction in the head and neck region. In patients who suffer tissue loss due to a high-energy trauma, the reconstructive surgeon is often faced with a large gap between the defect and the site of anastomosis outside the zone of injury. Utilization of long vein grafts for reestablishment of blood flow to the transferred tissue vessels is a common procedure. Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) formation on the side table is an alternative solution. In this paper, an "extracorporeal loop" (blind loop) technique is presented as an alternative microsurgical method for prelaminated flap transfer to two different traumatic recipient areas in the face (nose and ear).