BACKGROUND The optimal number of veins to be anastomosed in perforator flaps for limb reconstruction and its influence on the results remain controversial. Venous thrombosis of microvascular anastomoses is a… Click to show full abstract
BACKGROUND The optimal number of veins to be anastomosed in perforator flaps for limb reconstruction and its influence on the results remain controversial. Venous thrombosis of microvascular anastomoses is a commonly recorded complication in soft tissue reconstruction. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of two venous anastomoses in the incidence of venous thrombosis for limb reconstruction using anterolateral thigh (ALT) microsurgical free flaps. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study on patients undergoing limb reconstruction using ALT flap during 2014-2017. Perioperative information was recorded and patients were divided in two groups: group 1 (one venous anastomosis; 17 patients) and group 2 (two venous anastomoses; 21 patients). Complications were investigated. RESULTS Overall, 38 microsurgical flaps were included. The mean age was 33 years, and 32 patients were male. The most prevalent wounds were traumatic. Group 1 presented a higher complication rate than group 2 (47% vs. 24%; pā=ā0.065), although the difference was not significant. Group 1 presented a higher rate of venous anastomotic thrombosis (pā=ā0.032) than group 2. The overall success rate was 92%. CONCLUSION For limb reconstruction using ALT microsurgical free flaps, two venous anastomoses are associated with a low rate of venous thrombosis in microvascular anastomoses.
               
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