Open guide suture technique for safe microvascular anastomosis

Despite the evident advances in microsurgery, anastomosis of small vessels or anastomosis of vessels having size discrepancy, remains one of the most precise and technically demanding issues in replantation surgery and free tissue transfer procedure. The patency of the vascular anastomosis is critical and essential for a successful outcome. In this study, a microvascular anastomosing technique called open guide suture technique is introduced. The technique starts with a conventional whole-layer stitch and continues under the control of a guided suture that is inserted but not completed to a knot 180 degrees distant from the initial suture. Recently, we used this technique in 30 free flap transfers and 4 replantation procedures. A total of 103 anastomoses were performed. Only 1 flap, which had both arterial and venous problems, and 1 finger replantation case that had arterial problems required revision. Both the revised cases were salvaged, giving a revision rate of 2.91% for the total number of anastomoses (3 of 103), and a 100% success rate for final flap and replanted part survival. In conclusion, this technique provides a safe anastomosis performed under completely clear visualization at each step with well-arranged knot intervals.