New dimensions for the vital storage of microsurgical free flaps: an experimental approach

A revolutionary circulatory system has been developed to nourish big, free osteomusculocutaneous flaps extracorporally. Thus we will be able to transplant the free flaps to defect areas that have no sufficient vascular situation. In respect to the cold storage of microsurgical free flaps, to date maximal periods of ischaemic tolerance have been considerably exceeded; the maximal period is currently 168 hours. The vitality of the flap is monitored through parameters setting forth the consumption of oxygen together with histology and electron microscopy. The oxygenation of the nutritive medium is achieved through an aqueous phase gas exchange.