Introduction: During the past decades, free flaps have been given a central role in the reconstructive surgery. Especially in the extremities, where there is a scarcity of available tissues for local flaps, free flaps play a central part. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors contributing to partial and total flap failure. Patients and methods: In a retrospective cohort study, all data concerning patients who underwent free flap reconstruction of the extremities during the first five years since the founding of the department of plastic surgery were gathered. Patient- and surgery-related risk factors were analyzed in correlation to the postoperative complications. Results: In total, 182 free flaps were included in this study. Partial and total flap failure were noted in 21.42% and 17.03%, respectively. A correlation was seen between the time lapsed from debridement until flap coverage, with flaps performed between day 4 and 14 having the least quote of flap failure (p=0.022). Gender, age, arterial hypertension, nicotine abuse, diabetes mellitus, peripheral arterial disease and the number of anastomosed veins were not significantly associated with free flap failure. Conclusion: Our study showed that free flaps can be safely performed in healthy patients as well as in patients with risk factors, with an acceptable flap loss rate. Randomized controlled studies are needed to clarify the exact role of each risk factor in free flap surgery.
Einleitung: Während der letzten Dekaden erhielt die freie Lappenplastik eine Hauptrolle in der rekonstruktiven Chirurgie. Insbesondere an den Extremitäten, mit begrenzt verfügbarem Gewebe, haben freie Lappenplastiken eine besonders wichtige Funktion. Das Ziel unserer Studie war, die Risikofaktoren für einen partiellen oder kompletten Lappenverlust zu evaluieren.Patienten und Methoden: In einer retrospektiven Kohortenstudie wurden die Daten von allen Patienten gesammelt, welche eine freie Lappenplastik innerhalb der ersten fünf Jahre seit der Gründung unserer Abteilung erhielten. Patienten- und Chirurgie-bezogene Risikofaktoren wurden bezüglich der postoperativen Komplikationen untersucht.Ergebnisse: Insgesamt wurden 182 freie Lappenplastiken in diese Studie eingeschlossen. Ein partieller Lappenverlust trat bei 21,42%, ein kompletter bei 17,03% auf. Die Zeitspanne von Débridement bis zum Tag der Deckung mittels freier Lappenplastik stellte einen statistisch signifikanten Risikofaktor für den Lappenverlust dar (p=0.022). Die Lappenplastiken, die zwischen Tag 4 und 14 operiert wurden, zeigten die geringste Verlustquote. Geschlecht, Alter, arterielle Hypertonie, Nikotinabusus, Diabetes mellitus, periphere arterielle Verschlusskrankheit sowie die Anzahl der anastomosierten Venen waren nicht signifikant mit dem Lappenverlust assoziiert. Schlussfolgerung: Unsere Studie zeigt, dass freie Lappenplastiken sicher und mit einer akzeptablen Lappenverlustratte sowohl bei Gesunden als auch bei Risikopatienten durchgeführt werden können. Randomisiert kontrollierte Studien sind zukünftig notwendig, um die genaue Rolle jedes Risikofaktors festzustellen.

The key point for microvascular reconstruction is to preserve patency of flap vessels. Despite great improvement in reconstruction success rates in the last 30 years, ischemic complications are still an undesirable event. The authors assessed recent as well as older literature and compared progression in perioperative pharmacology interventions in antithrombotic prevention.

In microvascular reconstruction of ablative oncologic defects, coupler devices have traditionally been used for venous anastomosis, whereas the arterial anastomosis is hand-sewn. In the setting of repeated intraoperative arterial anastomotic thrombosis, a coupler device may be of use in reducing the risk of rethrombosis.
Two patients were seen with advanced stage head and neck cancer and underwent oncologic resection. During microvascular reconstruction, a clot at the arterial anastomosis was encountered in both cases.
After starting therapeutic anticoagulation and attempting unsuccessful suture reanastomosis, coupler devices were used for arterial anastomosis, resulting in viable free-tissue transfer.
Although traditionally used for venous anastomosis, coupler devices may serve a purpose in the salvage setting when facing repeated intraoperative arterial thrombosis.

The formation of a pseudoaneurysm in a revascularized free flap is an extremely rare complication in microsurgery. The most effective treatment modality is still the subject of debate. We present the management of a case of pseudoaneurysm of the arterial pedicle of a radial free flap used after hemiglossopelvectomy in a patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. In our case, a 74-year-old man with the pseudoaneurism was successfully treated by endovascular stenting. Endovascular stenting can be considered an effective and safe procedure and a relevant alternative to open neck surgical treatment.