[Significance of extracorporally perfused microsurgical free flaps].
BACKGROUND
Since 30 years microvascular reconstruction has been established in reconstructive plastic head and neck surgery. Since 10 years an extracorporal perfusion set for the vital preservation of microsurgical free tissue flaps of several days has been developed. Now it is the question which significance the extracorporal perfusion of free flaps has today.


METHODS
The spectrum of the actual utilization is the parameter which determines the importance. A recommendation on the safe period of use for the vital preservation of microsurgical free flaps making use of the extracorporal perfusion system in room temperature (21 degrees C) is to be developed on the porcine vertical musculocutaneous trapezius flap.


RESULTS
The device is regularly used in experimental plastic surgery for the research of pathophysiology of microvascular free flaps. It is frequently used in biotechnology for pharmacological and toxicological tests of the resorption of drugs through the skin and it is useful for the microsurgical training of free flap transplantation. The minimal period of a safe function is 46 hours.


CONCLUSIONS
The device is a useful test system for the research of the ischemic period of microsurgical free flaps. Its greatest benefit is its use as a biotechnical test system reducing at the same time the consumption of animals. It is also a useful training device in reconstructive head and neck surgery. It is not suitable for the clinical free flap transplantation in human patients.
D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008838:Microcomputers; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010477:Perfusion / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D014021:Tissue Preservation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014022:Tissue Survival / Q000502:physiology
Zum Stellenwert freier extrakorporal perfundierter mikrochirurgischer Gewebelappen.