title: A new compound-curved needle for microvascular surgery.
abstract: A new compound-curved needle has been designed and developed for microvascular surgery from a unique stainless steel alloy, American Society for Testing Materials 45500. This needle has two distinct radii of curvature and a short tapered point, followed by a curved distal section. Despite its geometry, it exhibits similar resistance to bending and breakage as a curved needle with a single radius of curvature manufactured from the same alloy. The design of this new needle enables plastic surgeons to pass it through vessel walls with greater accuracy to a controlled depth and length of bite than a curved needle with a single radius of curvature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville 22908.
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Edlich
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Zimmer
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Thacker
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Bellian
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Powell
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009339:Needles; D013193:Stainless Steel; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D013193:Stainless Steel