title: Selective heparinization of venous anastomosis in latissimus dorsi free flaps to cover lower-extremity soft-tissue defects.
abstract: Two groups of consecutive patients treated with latissimus dorsi free myocutaneous flaps to cover lower-extremity soft-tissue defects were compared for postoperative vascular occlusion. In the first group of 13 patients (group I), there were five (38%) venous occlusions and no arterial occlusions. The second group of 15 patients (group II) was treated with selective heparinization of each venous anastomosis via a 0.35" catheter sutured into the serratus branch of the donor vein. In this group one patient suffered an arterial occlusion, but no patient suffered a venous occlusion. Statistical analysis using the Fisher exact probabilities test showed a significant decrease in vascular occlusion rate in group II, proving that selective heparinization had a beneficial effect on the venous patency rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Labosky
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D001415:Back; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000517:prevention & control; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D007866:Leg / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods / Q000473:pathology*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods / Q000473:pathology*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D014654:Vascular Patency; D014680:Veins / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin