title: Salvage arterial anastomosis using a microvascular coupler in head and neck free flap reconstruction.
abstract: Microvascular free tissue transfer is essential in complex head and neck reconstruction. The mainstay of microvascular anastomosis has classically been the suture technique, but the coupling device has emerged as a valuable alternative. Couplers are commonly used for venous anastomoses, but most head and neck reconstructive surgeons do not routinely couple arteries. However, coupling may afford reconstructive surgeons a unique tool for addressing difficult arterial anastomoses. In this case report, we describe the successful use of a microvascular coupler for salvage arterial anastomosis after recurrent thrombosis following multiple attempts at suture anastomosis in head and neck free flap reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Dane J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Genther
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Andrew T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Day
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Kanika
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rana
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Massachussetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Jeremy D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Richmon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery*; D004825:Epiglottis / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006257:Head / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods