Use of fluorescein to predict survival of a free jejunal transfer after disruption of the arterial pedicle on postoperative day 12.
The arterial pedicle to a free jejunal transfer was inadvertently disrupted on the 12th postoperative day. Intravenous fluorescein indicated viability of the entire jejunal transfer except for a 2 cm diameter area on the antimesenteric border midway between the upper and lower enteric anastomoses. The entire jejunum survived except for the small area which failed to fluoresce; this area was converted to a controlled pharyngocutaneous fistula. Neovascularisation from surrounding, unirradiated tissue can allow survival of a free vascularised jejunal transfer after disruption of arterial inflow as early as 12 days postoperatively.
Jones
N F
NF
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Kuzon
W M
WM
Shestak
K C
KC
Roth
A G
AG
D000368:Aged; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery*; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D007583:Jejunum / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D008297:Male; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D013518:Surgery, Plastic