[Thrombosis of sewn vs. coupled anastomoses in microvascular head and neck reconstructions]

The Anastomotic Coupling Device for microvascular anastomoses has become widely used in free tissue transplantation. This study compares the thrombosis rate and flap failure as a function of the anastomosis technique at a large head and neck cancer center.

Retrospective analysis of all patients receiving free flap reconstructions in the period 2001-2019. Reconstruction type, recipient vessels, number of venous anastomoses, coupler size, and operation time were investigated. We compared the rates of venous thrombosis between hand sewn and coupled anastomoses, as well as the rate of flap failure.

A total of 403 free flap reconstructions were performed for over 17 years. The venous anastomosis was sewn in 113 flaps in single suture technique, and in 290 cases, coupler device was used. The rate of venous thrombosis requiring immediate surgical revision was 6.2 % (7/113) in the sewn group compared to 7.6 % in the coupled group (22/290; p = 0.627). With an overall success rate of 95.0 % (383/403), the rate of flap failure was 3.6 % (4/113) and 5.5 % (16/290; p = 0.421), respectively. Surgical time is comparable with 680 ± 144 minutes in the hand-sewn group and 688 ± 167 minutes in the coupled group (p = 0.678).

With similar success rates, the coupler device is an effective alternative to venous anastomosis in single suture technique. Due to the generally low rate of pedicle thrombosis in both groups, we cannot separate the influence of the anastomosis technique from possible interfering variables.