Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery · 1990 · 31 citations · 0 references
MedicinePlastic SurgerySurgeryMicrosurgeryReconstructive SurgeryVascular SurgeryFlap ReconstructionFlap SurgeryFree Flap ReconstructionFree Tissue TransferMicrosurgical ReconstructionVascular AnastomosisFree Flap HarvestingFree Tissue Transfer AnastomosisFree Tissue Transfer ReconstructionMicrosurgical Vascular ReconstructionMicrovascular Free Flap TransferSaphenous Vein GraftingVascularized Flap ReconstructionVascularized Free Flap Reconstruction
The authors describe a method of closing truncal defects using free-tissue transfer when neither local tissue or vascular access are available. The long saphenous vein is dissected free as far distally as necessary and turned up, leaving its upper drainage intact. The distal end is then anastomosed to the femoral artery to create a temporary arteriovenous loop. After placing an appropriate free flap in the defect, the A-V loop is divided and used to provide both arterial supply and venous drainage for the flap. Anatomy, technique, and representative cases in which this method has been used for closing traumatic tissue defects of the trunk are presented and discussed.