Arterialized Saphenous Vein Transfer for Microvascular Free Flap Reconstruction of Complex Posterior Defects

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Microsurgery
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Complex posterior defects pose significant reconstructive challenges.
• Scarcity of suitable recipient vessels complicates flap perfusion.
• Arterialized saphenous vein transfer is a viable alternative for flap revascularization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the institutional experience with arterialized saphenous vein transfer for microvascular free flap (MVFF) reconstruction.
• To assess the efficacy and outcomes of this technique in complex posterior defects.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of patients undergoing posterior MVFF reconstruction with arterialized saphenous vein transfer.
• Data collection included demographics, comorbidities, defect etiology, flap type, and perioperative outcomes.
• Analysis of eight MVFFs in six patients with posterior trunk/buttocks defects.

Main Results:

• No flap losses were observed in the eight MVFFs reconstructed.
• Successful flap perfusion was achieved using various arterial inflow sources.
• Mean follow-up of 1247 days showed durable flap healing, with minor wound persistence in silicone injection cases.

Conclusions:

• Arterialized saphenous vein transfer is a durable and successful method for MVFF reconstruction in complex posterior defects.
• This technique provides a reliable option for anatomically challenging reconstructive scenarios.