title: The use of prefabrication technique in microvascular reconstructive surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to develop standards for the prefabrication of free microvascular flaps in an animal model, followed by their application in clinical practice, and quantitative/qualitative microscopic assessment of the extent of development of a new microvascular network.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out in 10 experimental pigs. As the first stage, a total of 20 prefabricated flaps were created using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as a support material, placed horizontally over an isolated and distally closed vascular pedicle based on superficial abdominal vessels. After completing the animal model study, one patient was selected for the grafting of the prefabricated free flap.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 20 free flaps prefabricated in the animal model were analyzed microscopically, exhibiting connective tissue rich in fibroblasts and small blood vessels in the porous areas across the entire thickness of the PTFE element.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Flap prefabrication is a new and fast developing reconstruction technique. The usefulness of prefabrication techniques and their status in reconstructive surgery still needs to be investigated experimentally and clinically. The method based on prefabricated free flaps is the first step towards anatomical bioengineering that will make it possible to replace missing organs with their anatomically perfect equivalents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncological and Reconstructive Surgery, Center of Oncology - Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute of Oncology, Branch Gliwice, Poland.
authors.forename: Lukasz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Krakowczyk
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maciejewski
authors.forename: Cezary
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Szymczyk
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wierzgoń
authors.forename: Ryszard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Szumniak
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jędrzejewski
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grajek
authors.forename: Mirosław
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dobrut
authors.forename: Rafał
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ulczok
authors.forename: Stanisław
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Półtorak
keywords: free flaps; prefabrication techniques; reconstructive surgery