title: Arterialized Venous Bone Flaps: An Experimental Investigation.
abstract: In arterialized venous flaps (AVFs) the venous network is used to revascularize the flap. While the feasibility of AVFs in soft tissues has been reported there is no study on osseous AVFs. In this study we aim to assess the flap survival of osseous AVFs in a pig model. Medial femoral condyle flaps were elevated in 18 pigs. Three groups were created: AVF (n = 6), conventional arterial flap (cAF, n = 6) and bone graft (BG, n = 6). The AVFs were created by anastomosis of genicular artery with one vena comitans while leaving one efferent vein for drainage. After 6 months the specimens were harvested. The histology and histomorphometry of of the bone in cAF and AVF was significantly superior to bone grafts with a higher bone volume in AVFs (p = 0.01). This study demonstrates that osseous free flaps may be supported and survive using the technique of arterialization of the venous network. The concept of AVFs in osseous flaps may be feasible for revascularization of free flaps with an inadequate artery but well developed veins. Further experimental and clinical studies are needed to assess the feasibility of clinical use of arterialized venous bone flaps.
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Paracelsus Medical University, Muellner Hauptstrasse 48, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.|Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Queen Victoria Hospital, Holtye Road, East Grinstead, RH19 3DZ, United Kingdom.
authors: Farzad
authors: F
authors: Borumandi
authors: The Curtis National Hand Center, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, 3333 North Calvert Street, Johnston Professional Building, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
authors: James P
authors: JP
authors: Higgins
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Paracelsus Medical University, Muellner Hauptstrasse 48, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.
authors: Heinz
authors: H
authors: Buerger
authors: University Hospital Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 29, 8036 Graz, Austria.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Vasilyeva
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental Faculty, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey.
authors: Memmet Emre
authors: ME
authors: Benlidayi
authors: Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey.
authors: Leman
authors: L
authors: Sencar
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Paracelsus Medical University, Muellner Hauptstrasse 48, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Gaggl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006085:Graft Survival; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D013552:Swine; D014680:Veins / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery