Preliminary report of the use of a microvascular coupling device for arterial anastomoses in oral and maxillofacial reconstruction

Our aim was to record our preliminary use of a microvascular coupler for arterial anastomoses with free flap transfer in the reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects in 45 patients with defects that were repaired with anterolateral thigh, fibular, and radial forearm flaps. The microvascular coupler was used for both the venous and the arterial anastomoses. The site of the defect, type of flap, recipient artery, duration of operating time for the anastomosis, size of coupler, and survival of the flap were recorded and analysed. A total of 45 consecutive patients had microsurgical reconstructions in the head and neck, including 16 radial forearm, 18 fibular, and 11 anterolateral thigh free flaps. The sizes of coupler required ranged from 1.5-2.5 mm, with most flaps (n = 30) requiring a 2.0 mm coupler. The mean (SD) operating time for arterial anastomoses was 7 (2) mins. One arterial crisis occurred during an operation, and required a sutured anastomosis instead. There were no complications related to the technical performance of the coupler. The coupler is reliable for arterial anastomoses of free tissue transfers in reconstructions of the head and neck. With proper selection of vessels and enough experience in using the microvascular coupler, it may be used in an expeditious, safe, and reliable fashion with minimal morbidity. Though not common, the use of the coupler for arterial anastomoses saves a lot of time, and is a viable alternative to a sutured anastomosis.     

Analysis of intraoral microvascular anastomosis in maxillofacial defects reconstruction

This review summarizes the research progress in the field of intraoral microvascular anastomosis techniques (IAT) and attempts to investigate the indications for procedures in which IAT can be applied, the surgical procedure and the difficulties involved, technical assessments, result evaluation and the perspective. Currently, microvascular anastomosis technique is widely used in maxillofacial defects reconstruction from various causes including cutaneous injury or congenital deformity which usually required extensive flap reconstruction and therefore a vascular free flap is routinely used. Conventional microvascular anastomosis reconstruction techniques cannot avoid new incisions, which will affect the postoperative aesthetic situation. Surgeons have therefore attempted to improve this technique to effectively eliminate scars caused by surgery: some patients can be chosen to undergo microvascular anastomosis of the free flap intraorally, thus reducing the extraoral incision caused by the anastomosis located in neck or maxillofacial improving the postoperative appearance of the patients. In addition to preserving the external appearance, intraoral anastomosis technique (IAT) can also solve some other problems of maxillofacial vascular anastomosis, such as insufficient vessel pedicle length and high risk of facial nerve injury.     

口腔颌面部缺损游离皮瓣修复中血管吻合的技巧及关键点

血管吻合的质量是决定游离皮瓣移植修复术是否成功最为关键的因素。游离皮瓣在修复口腔颌面部缺损的应用中存在血管选择、受区血管相关术中表现和血管吻合技术等方面的诸多特点及技巧。同时,术后对皮瓣危象、并发症进行判断和处理时也有较多的关键点。笔者的团队在近年来开展了大量的口腔颌面缺损游离皮瓣修复,在口腔颌面颈部的血管吻合方面积累了大量的经验。本文针对口腔颌面缺损游离皮瓣修复中动静脉吻合的技巧、血管选择、血管危象的判断及处理等问题进行评述。     

Non-suturing microvascular anastomosis in maxillofacial reconstruction- a comparative study

AimThe aim of the study is to compare the advantages and disadvantages of non-suturing anastomotic methods over conventional microsuturing for microvascular venous anastomosis.Materials and methodsAll patients reporting to the institute for hard and soft tissue reconstruction (Primary/secondary) were enrolled in the study. Patients with systemic comorbidities, peripheral vascular diseases, or anatomical aberration of the indicated donor site were excluded from the study. The patients selected for the study were randomly allocated to five groups of different techniques of venous anastomosis, namely Group I (conventional microsuturing), II (fibrin sealant reinforced microsuturing), III (couplers), IV (staplers), V (Laser Assisted Vascular Anastomosis (LAVA)). Intraoperative anastomotic time, flap ischaemic time, patency and leakage were the parameters that were assessed for all five groups.Results80 Patients were randomly allocated to five groups and each group comprised 16 patients. The mean ischaemic time and standard deviation of Group I and Group II were 256.19 ± 10.622 min and 255.19 ± 11.083 min, and for groups III, IV, and V were 193.38 ± 9.972 min, 139.06 ± 6.413 min, and 139.31 ± 6.364 min respectively (p < 0.001). Mean anastomotic time and standard deviation were 19.813 ± 1.5366 min in Group I and 20.281 ± 1.6514 min in Group II. The non-sutured anastomosis groups III, IV, and V showed a mean anastomotic time of 5.375 ± 0.9876 min, 4.175 ± 0.7664 min, and 3.856 ± 0.867 min respectively (p value < 0.001). In Groups I and II, 18.8% of patients had delayed patency and in Groups III, IV and V, immediate patency was observed in all subjects (p value 0.030). In Groups I and II, 18.8% and 6.3 % of patients respectively had leakage, whereas all patients in Groups III, IV, V had no leakage from the anastomotic site (p value 0.119).ConclusionBased on the results of the study, non-suturing techniques should be preferred over microsuturing technique whenever appropriate for venous anastomosis.     

血管吻合器在游离皮瓣修复口腔颌面部缺损中的应用

目的:探讨血管吻合器在口腔颌面部游离皮瓣血管吻合中的应用效果.方法:2014年9月-2015年5月,对21例患者行口腔颌面部组织缺损游离皮瓣修复创面,供血动脉选用面动脉及甲状腺上动脉,回流静脉选用颈外静脉及颈内静脉分支.手工吻合游离皮瓣动脉18条,吻合器吻合游离皮瓣动脉3条、静脉21条;其中头静脉13条,腓动脉伴行静脉6条,股前外侧动脉伴行静脉2条,观察其吻合时间及吻合血管通畅率.采用SPSS 17.0软件包进行统计学分析.结果:吻合后勒血试验证实,动脉和静脉血流通畅率100％.动脉吻合中,供血动脉选用面动脉16次,甲状腺上动脉5次;回流静脉选用静外静脉13次,颈内静脉分支8次.手工吻合动脉平均时间为(17.20±2.31)min,吻合器动脉吻合平均时间为(5.48±1.33) min;手工吻合静脉平均时间为(18.39±3.48) min,吻合器吻合静脉平均时间为(6.45±0.60) min.术后随访游离皮瓣全部成活,缺损修复后皮瓣颜色、形态及质地良好,未出现皮瓣危象及皮瓣坏死.术后血管彩超均显示吻合后动脉吻合口血流通畅,无血栓形成.术后1～3个月复诊,均未见皮瓣坏死.结论:应用血管吻合器吻合静脉速度快,通畅率高,初步结果证明该血管吻合器安全、有效,在一定程度上可节约手术时间.     

血管纵向缩缝联合显微血管吻合术重建颈内静脉

目的 探讨晚期口腔癌患者颈部转移淋巴结累及双侧颈内静脉时血管的处理新方式。方法 采用显微血管吻合术和血管纵向缩缝术相结合的方法重建颈内静脉。当晚期口腔癌患者的双侧颈内静脉均与周围可疑癌转移的淋巴结粘连紧密时,可以节段性切除颈内静脉,采用颈外静脉重建颈内静脉,或仅切除部分颈内静脉血管壁;同时对颈内静脉的近心端和远心端纵向缩缝,使静脉管径均匀变化。选择5例接受双侧根治性颈淋巴清扫手术治疗的口腔鳞状细胞癌患者,采用该方法重建颈内静脉,观察手术效果。结果 5例患者术后均未出现因静脉回流不畅导致的面部水肿、咽喉部水肿、脑水肿、颅内高压等严重并发症,未出现颈内静脉栓塞。术后随访5~19个月,采用多普勒或CT血管造影等检查颈内静脉的通畅情况,均未发现栓塞。5例患者的1年生存率为60%（3/5）。结论 血管纵向缩缝联合显微血管吻合术是一种有效的处理颈部转移淋巴结累及双侧颈内静脉时的新方法,该方法具有良好的效果及可行性。     

Intraoral anastomosis in maxillary microvascular reconstruction after oncological excision

Microvascular anastomosis using an intraoral approach can avoid unnecessary external incisions thus improving patient satisfaction. Furthermore, in case of short pedicle flaps, the lack of proximity of the recipient vessels can be a problem in microvascular reconstruction of the midface. We present our experience in six patients treated for tumours affecting the midface and reconstructed with microvascular flaps through anastomosis to the intraoral aspect of the facial vessels, with the aim of reviewing the use of this technique. Our results showed that intraoral anastomosis is a feasible technique that can be used in the reconstruction after tumours resection, avoiding additional external incisions in patients with no previous cervicotomy incisions. In two cases, a vein graft was interposed to perform the intraoral arterial anastomosis in a tension-free situation without increasing morbidity. The technical features and advantages of intraoral anastomosis were reviewed.     

微血管吻合器在头颈部游离皮瓣移植动脉吻合中的初步应用

目的 探讨在头颈部缺损游离皮瓣移植手术中应用微血管吻合器吻合动脉的可靠性。方法 选择2013—2014年间行游离皮瓣修复头颈部肿瘤切除后缺损的患者21例,分别采取腓骨肌皮瓣、股前外侧皮瓣、前臂皮瓣同期修复缺损。动脉均采用微血管吻合器做端-端吻合,动脉吻合共应用21枚吻合器,观察其吻合时间及吻合后血管通畅情况。结果 21例患者术中吻合口均通畅无渗血;1例于术后第1天因皮瓣苍白行手术探查,术中见动脉血栓形成,重新行手工吻合,吻合后血管通畅。应用吻合器吻合时间较手工缝合明显缩短,平均约4~6 min。结论 微血管吻合器在适宜情况下可用于头颈部缺损游离皮瓣修复中的动脉端-端吻合,能够明显缩短吻合时间,操作简便,吻合质量可靠。     

两种血管吻合方式对游离组织瓣修复口腔颌面部缺损中皮瓣成活的影响

目的比较国产73-Ⅱ型血管套接器与普通血管缝合两种血管吻合方式对游离组织瓣修复口腔颌面部缺损中皮瓣成活的影响。方法根据不同的血管吻合方式将2005年10月至2012年1月间本院63例应用游离组织瓣修复口腔颌面部缺损的患者分为两组,血管套接组（n=32）修复时采用国产73-Ⅱ型血管套接器吻合动脉及静脉,普通血管缝合组（n=31）采用血管缝线吻合血管,比较两组病例血管吻合时间,术后皮瓣危象发生率、皮瓣成活率,以及患者面部外形、面部功能恢复情况。结果血管套接组、普通血管缝合组血管吻合时间分别为（15.66±8.76）分钟、（65.55±15.14）分钟,两组吻合时间有统计学差异（P〈0.05）。两组共移植组织瓣63例,术后发生皮瓣危象3例,成活61例,皮瓣危象发生率4.76%,总成活率为96.83%。血管套接组移植游离组织瓣32例,术后发生皮瓣危象1例、成活31例,皮瓣危象发生率3.13%、成活率96.88%;普通血管缝合组移植游离组织瓣31例,术后发生皮瓣危象2例、成活30例,皮瓣危象发生率6.45%、成活率96.77%。两组术后皮瓣危象发生率、皮瓣成活率均无显著差异（P〉0.05）。所有患者的创口均一期愈合。所有患者面部外形恢复良好、舌体运动、咬合关系及吞咽功能基本正常。结论游离组织瓣移植修复口腔颌面部缺损安全有效,患者面部外形、功能恢复满意。术中血管套接和普通缝合吻合血管的方法,术后皮瓣危象发生率和皮瓣成活率基本相同,但血管套接法吻合速度快、易于掌握,临床上需根据具体病情,结合患者自身经济条件进行选择。     

Preoperative underweight is associated with adverse postoperative events in patients undergoing microvascular reconstruction surgery for oral and maxillofacial cancer

We aimed to describe the prevalence of postoperative complications and evaluate its relationship with underweight, obesity, preoperative nutritional status, and systemic inflammation status in patients undergoing microvascular reconstruction for oral and maxillofacial cancer. Patients who were ≥20 years old and underwent microvascular reconstruction surgery between January 2009 to June 2019 were investigated. Patient demographics including body mass index, prognostic nutritional status, and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio were collected. Logistic regression analysis was applied to evaluate these impacts on postoperative complications. A postoperative complication was defined as a Clavien–Dindo classification more than or equal to II. Of the 145 patients included in the analysis, 83 patients (57.2%) experienced postoperative complications, belonging to a Clavien–Dindo classification Ⅱ (n = 71), Ⅲb (n = 11), and Ⅳa (n = 1). Multiple logistic regression revealed that a body mass index less than 18.5 kg/m² (odds ratio 6.19, 95% confidential interval 1.34–28.6, P = 0.02) was related to postoperative complications. Another multiple logistic regression model including all explanatory factors found that underweight (P = 0.03) was related to postoperative complications. This retrospective study showed that preoperative underweight was associated with postoperative complications as evaluated by the Clavien–Dindo classification.     

Free flap microvascular anastomosis in head and neck reconstruction using a 4K three-dimensional exoscope system (VITOM 3D)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of microvascular anastomosis using a 4K three-dimensional exoscope system (VITOM 3D) in 10 consecutive cases of free flap head and neck reconstructive surgery. This was a clinical human study of free flap microvascular anastomosis using a VITOM 3D exoscope in 10 consecutive patients undergoing reconstruction after ablative surgery for head and neck carcinoma. Microvascular anastomoses were performed successfully using the exoscope in all patients, without any need for the conventional microscope. Arterial anastomoses were all end-to-end. Venous anastomoses were end-to-end in eight cases and end-to-side with the internal jugular vein in two cases. This study demonstrates the technical feasibility of microvascular anastomosis using a 4K three-dimensional exoscope system (VITOM 3D) in a series of 10 cases.     

Numerical simulations of different configured venous anastomosis in microvascular flap transfer

Background

Free flap surgery is a well-established method for covering large defects in the head and neck region. Most cases of flap failure are caused by venous thrombosis. Thus, there is a lot of discussion about the ideal design of venous anastomosis and its impact on the hemodynamics in the vessels. This study concentrates on the simulation of flow patterns of different designs of venous anastomoses.

A retrospective analysis of the surgical outcomes of different free vascularized flaps used for the reconstruction of the maxillofacial region: Hand-sewn microvascular anastomosis vs anastomotic coupler device

The aim of the study was to assess the surgical outcomes following venous anastomosis with a coupling device and hand-sewn anastomosis in the reconstruction of the maxillofacial region. The study sample was recruited from patients who underwent reconstructive surgeries between January 2011 and November 2016. Tumor type, recipient veins, distribution of flap type, flap survival rates and anastomosis associated complications requiring a flap revision were documented. The follow-up period was four years. In total, 236 patients were included in this study, in which 201 reconstructions were performed via microsurgical venous coupling device (82.04%), whereas hand sewn anastomosis was used in 44 patients (17.96%). Postoperative complications regarding the anastomosis technique revealed that venous coupler devices showed significantly lower complications (4,97%) compared to hand sewn anastomosis (11,36%) (p < 0.05). Within the limitations of the current study, it can be concluded that the coupler system does appear to have advantages over conventional hand-sewn venous anastomosis and should be preferred when possible.     

Review and update on the use of the microanastomotic coupler device for arterial anastomosis in free tissue transfer

While a simple interrupted sutured anastomosis remains the gold standard in microsurgery, the introduction of the microanastomotic coupler device (MACD) has decreased procedure time and thrombosis risk, and improved the patency of venous anastomoses. The aim of this review is to update the evidence-based advantages of the MACD on arteries, based on clinical and experimental data, and to compare them to the hand-sewn approach in free flap transfer. All relevant articles that appeared in the PubMed and Medline/Ovid databases during the past three decades were reviewed. After exclusions, 11 studies were retained and discussed.The MACD had a generally shorter arterial anastomosis time, with improved flap survival and reduced ischaemia compared with the hand-sewn approach. The use of the MACD in arterial anastomosis is an efficient and less time-consuming alternative to the hand-sewn technique, provided that the selection of vessels is appropriate and the vessel diameter is large enough to do the anastomosis.     

经口内入路切除下颌骨良性肿瘤及同期血管化腓骨肌瓣精确重建下颌骨

目的： 首次介绍口内入路行下颌骨良性肿瘤切除和显微血管吻合的腓骨肌瓣即刻精确重建的经验。方法： 2018年1月—3月,对我科收治的4例下颌骨良性肿瘤患者行经口内入路的下颌骨节断性切除及显微血管吻合的腓骨肌瓣即刻重建术。3例术前行虚拟手术计划设计,并行钛板数字化压模成型。术中先在口内颊部显露面动、静脉并保护,按截骨导板完成下颌骨节断性切除和腓骨瓣塑形、钛板固定后,用导航验证重建下颌骨的位置。显微镜下将腓动脉与面动脉作端-端吻合,腓静脉与面静脉用微血管吻合器Coupler吻合。术后常规采用手提超声多普勒监测血管血流信号;术后1周复查全景片,检查重建下颌骨的位置。结果： 4例患者均顺利完成经口内入路的下颌骨节断性切除、腓骨重建,其中3例顺利完成口内显微血管吻合,1例因术区瘢痕、面静脉不理想而引至下颌下吻合。术后超声多普勒监测显示血流信号正常,口内及供区伤口均一期愈合。术中导航及术后全景片显示重建的下颌骨位置理想,咬合关系正常,面部外形对称,无面瘫及开口受限。结论： 经口内入路行下颌骨良性肿瘤的节断性切除及腓骨肌瓣精确重建和口内显微血管吻合是完全可行的,能够达到口外入路同样的效果,同时口外无瘢痕。     

口腔颌面部静脉畸形1412例临床报告

目的 :评价鱼肝油酸钠和平阳霉素单独或联合瘤体内注射治疗口腔颌面部静脉畸形的疗效和安全性。方法 :对 764例患者应用 5 %鱼肝油酸钠 ,2 98例患者应用平阳霉素 ,3 5 0例患者联合应用鱼肝油酸钠和平阳霉素进行瘤体内注射。通过随访和临床观察 ,分析其疗效和安全性。结果 :随访 1～ 14年 ,鱼肝油酸钠组有效率 89.3 % ,平阳霉素组 88.2 % ,联合用药组 95 .4%。鱼肝油酸钠组与平阳霉素组比较 ,有效率无显著性差异 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,联合用药组有效率明显高于鱼肝油酸钠组和平阳霉素组 (P <0 .0 5 )。鱼肝油酸钠组注射局部均有不同程度的肿胀 ,治疗有效的 5 97例中有 48例 ( 8% )复发 ;平阳霉素组有 9例 ( 3 % )出现发热反应。结论 :鱼肝油酸钠或平阳霉素瘤内注射治疗口腔颌面部静脉畸形均有良好的疗效 ,两者联合应用疗效更好、副作用小     

硬化剂治疗口腔颌面部静脉畸形疗效的对比研究

目的:评价平阳霉素(PYM)单独使用或联合鱼肝油酸钠(SM)和地塞米松(DXM)瘤内注射治疗口腔颌面部静脉畸形的疗效和安全性。方法:选择100例口腔颌面部静脉畸形患者,随机分为两组。PYM组50例瘤腔内单独注射PYM;联合用药组50例,用DXM 5 mg/ml加2%利多卡因4ml瘤内注射,尔后再据年龄、瘤体大小,局部情况注射0.5～2.0mlSM。均5～7d注射1次,3～5次为一个疗程。分析其疗效和安全性。结果:治疗后经6～48个月随访。PYM组有效率84.0%,联合用药组有效率96.0%。明显高于PYM组(P<0.05)。PYM组有5例(10.0%)出现发热,联合用药组无发热病例(P<0.05)。结论:PYM、DXM、SM联合注射治疗口腔颌面部静脉畸形,具有疗程短、不良反应小等优点,是一种安全、可靠、简便的治疗方法,其疗效优于PYM单独瘤内注射治疗。