1. Venous Anastomoses in Anterolateral Thigh Flaps for the Lower Extremity: Vessel Selection In Lieu of Obligatory Number.
- Author
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Mattos D, Diamond S, Chattha AS, Riesel JN, and Iorio ML
- Subjects
- Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Female, Thigh surgery, Retrospective Studies, Treatment Outcome, Lower Extremity surgery, Plastic Surgery Procedures, Free Tissue Flaps blood supply, Perforator Flap surgery, Soft Tissue Injuries surgery
- Abstract
Background: Dual venous drainage for anterolateral thigh flaps has been proposed to protect against flap-related complications in head and neck applications. Here we report our experience with single vs dual venous anastomosis during lower extremity free-tissue transfer., Methods: All free anterolateral thigh flaps for lower extremity reconstruction from 2011 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. An algorithm was used to determine the type and number of venous anastomoses, emphasizing patient anatomy, venous quality, and size match. Patients were divided into single- and dual-venous-anastomosis groups. Univariate analysis determined differences between the groups. A multivariable analysis identified independent risk factors., Results: Fifty patients met the inclusion criteria. Patient demographics, recipient sites, wound type, and flap characteristics were similar in 1 and 2 vein groups. Average follow-up was 9.6 months. Forty-two percent underwent single venous drainage anastomoses. Mean age was 52.7 years, 78.0% were male, and 60% had defects of the foot and ankle. Increased flap area and early dangling did not increase flap demise. Thirty-three percent of single-drainage patients and 31.0% of dual-drainage patients had a complication. A body mass index of greater than 30 kg/m 2 was a predictor for both flap complication ( P = 0.025) and partial flap loss ( P = 0.031) in univariate analysis. No independent predictors were found in multivariate analysis., Conclusions: The number of venous anastomoses, area, and dangling protocol did not influence outcomes while using our lower extremity vein method. Thoughtful evaluation of venous egress should outweigh the routine use of multiple veins in perforator flap reconstructions of the lower extremity., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: The authors did not receive any funding for this study. None of the authors have a financial interest in any of the products, devices, or drugs mentioned in this article. There are also no commercial associations., (Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2023
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