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Flushing the vessel ends: the effect on ischemic free flap survival
H P Giele1, M Ritz, W A Morrison
1Microsurgery Research Centre, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Microsurgery
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Flushing stagnant blood from vessel ends did not improve free flap survival in experimental ischemic flaps. Current surgical practice of not flushing is supported by these findings.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Microsurgery
- Tissue Transplantation
Background:
- Vascular anastomosis in free flap surgery often reveals clotted blood in divided vessels.
- Clotting is typically observed in experimental ischemic free flaps.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if flushing stagnant blood from divided vessels impacts free flap survival.
- To evaluate the necessity of flushing vessel ends during vascular anastomosis.
Main Methods:
- Experimental study involving ischemic free flaps.
- Vessels were divided, and one group underwent flushing of the ends, while the control group did not.
- Flap survival rates were compared between the groups.
Main Results:
- Flushing the vessel ends did not significantly influence flap survival rates.
- Clotting in vessel ends was not a major impediment to flap survival in this model, except in cases of prolonged ischemia or vessel damage.
Conclusions:
- Flushing stagnant blood from divided vessels is not necessary to improve free flap survival.
- The current surgical practice of not routinely flushing vessel ends during vascular anastomosis is validated by this study.