title: Innovative technique: Distal venous cannulation for salvaging free flap venous thrombosis by heparinised saline irrigation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Successful free tissue transfer depends on a multitude of factors, and adequate drainage of venous blood is one of the most critical part of successful free tissue transfers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report 6 cases of microvascular free flaps used for covering various defects, which developed venous congestion, that were salvaged with heparinised saline irrigation through the distal end of the congested vein by the help of an intravenous cannula. The irrigation was continued for 5 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the flaps were successfully salvaged.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This method has potential applications in situations for successful salvage of free tissue transfer particularly due to venous thrombosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
authors.forename: G D S
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Kalra
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
authors.forename: Devidutta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mohanty
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
authors.forename: Ritesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jain
keywords: Heparinised saline; salvage of congested flaps; venous obstruction in free flap