Retrograde arterialized venous flap: an experimental study.
An experimental model was established to study circulation in retrograde arterialized venous flaps (RAVF). Venous flaps measuring 7 x 4 cm with a matching venous system were harvested from both forearms of 10 fresh human cadavers. In each trial, both flaps were simultaneously perfused with heparinized human blood driven by a pulsatile circulation model. In each trial there was one flap with retrograde perfusion, and one flap with antegrade perfusion. Clinical assessment, measurement of outflow, and angiographic examination with digitally assisted assessment after 3 h of perfusion showed better results for retrograde perfusion in 8 of the 10 trials. This study indicates that blood circulation in the periphery of arterialized venous flaps can be enhanced by retrograde arterialization.
Department of Surgery, Karl-Franzens University Hospital, Graz, Austria.
Harald E T
HE
Moshammer
Franz X
FX
Schwarzl
Franz M
FM
Haas
Heinrich
H
Maechler
Gerhard
G
Pierer
Marco
M
Wiltgen
Horst
H
Koch
D000792:Angiography; D001158:Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D011673:Pulsatile Flow / Q000502:physiology*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D014680:Veins / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*