• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.242-249
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• 2020

Background The Exoscope is a novel high-definition digital camera system. There is limited evidence signifying the use of exoscopic devices in microsurgery. This trial objectively assesses the effects of the use of the Exoscope as an alternative to the standard operating microscope (OM) on the performance of experts in a simulated microvascular anastomosis. Methods Modus V Exoscope and OM were used by expert microsurgeons to perform standardized tasks. Hand-motion analyzer measured the total pathlength (TP), total movements (TM), total time (TT), and quality of end-product anastomosis. A clinical margin of TT was performed to prove non-inferiority. An expert performed consecutive microvascular anastomoses to provide the exoscopic learning curve until reached plateau in TT. Results Ten micro sutures and 10 anastomoses were performed. Analysis demonstrated statistically significant differences in performing micro sutures for TP, TM, and TT. There was statistical significance in TM and TT, however, marginal non-significant difference in TP regarding microvascular anastomoses performance. The intimal suture line analysis demonstrated no statistically significant differences. Non-inferiority results based on clinical inferiority margin (Δ) of TT=10 minutes demonstrated an absolute difference of 0.07 minutes between OM and Exoscope cohorts. A 51%, 58%, and 46% improvement or reduction was achieved in TT, TM, TP, respectively, during the exoscopic microvascular anastomosis learning curve. Conclusions This study demonstrated that experts' Exoscope anastomoses appear non-inferior to the OM anastomoses. Exoscopic microvascular anastomosis was more time consuming but end-product (patency) in not clinically inferior. Experts' "warm-up" learning curve is steep but swift and may prove to reach clinical equality.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.63-66
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• 2002

Microvascular anastomosis is too important to reduce the failure in operating room because of no choice in case of failure and prognosis of the failure would be more worse than any other success ones. Factors for microsurgery trainee influencing patency in microvascular anastomosis at the laboratory are numerous but three basic prerequisites are magnification, instruments and suture material and training. First Author trained microsurgical technique to the second author using femoral artery of the rat and patency of the anastomosis was evaluated by the milking test. Period which microsurgeon successes femoral arterial anastomosis in rat in both of 5 and 30 minutes was 7th week at the laboratory which has done 2 vessels a week under the supervise of the skilled first author.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.117-128
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• 2006

Free flap transplantation with microvascular anastomosis has been successfully performed by development of surgical technique, materials and postoperative monitoring equipments of flap. But success rate of microvascular anastomosis is influenced by various factors, and failure rate is about 5-10%. The most influential factor for success rate is surgical technique and other factors that influence failure of microvascular anastomosis are ischemic time of free flap, thrombus formation of anastomosis region and vascular spasm. Many studies has been published in microvascular anastomosis with histologic effect for irrigating solution. But local irrigation solution has been used clinically in microvascular anastomosis, the comparison with each solution, microhistological study for endothelial cell repair and vascular patency has not been reported. The heparin which is anti-thrombotic agent, and urokinase which is fibrinolytic agent are used for this study. Vascular patency and thrombus formation in experimental micro-arterial anastomosis, and endothelial repair were observed with histologic analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopic examination. The results were obtained as follows: 1. In vascular patency test in 30 minute and 7 days after micro-arterial anastomosis, equal effects of good vascular patency were obtained in group of local irrigation with heparin and urokinase. 2. In thrombus formation in 7 days after micro-arterial anastomosis, equal effects of minimal thrombus formation were obtained in group of local irrigation with heparin and urokinase. 3. In toluidin blue staining in 7 days after micro-arterial anastomosis, local destruction of endothelial cell and inner elastic lamina were seen and endothelial repair was not seen. 4. In scanning electron microscope examination in 7 days after micro-arterial anastomosis, endothelial cell was not seen in peripheral to suture materials, thrombus associated fibrin network was observed. 5. In transmission electron microscope examination in 7 days after micro-arterial anastomosis, inflammatory cell was seen within smooth muscle cells in site of endothelial cell destruction, smooth muscle cell around suture material were arranged irregularly, some collagenous change were seen. From the results obtained in this study, same results of good vascular patency and anti-thrombotic effect of heparin and urokinase were obtained as a local irrigation solution, and repair of endothelial cell was not seen in 7 days after micro-arterial anastomosis.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.300-305
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• 2005

Purpose: For the reconstruction of maxillofacial defect created by trauma, infection, or tumor etc, the role of microvascular anastomosis or vessel graft has been increased. Many methods has been tried to increase the success rate of microvascular anastomosis. Various anticoagulants and thrombolytic agents have been used to reduce the failure rate of microvascular anastomosis and avoid re-operation. Many drugs, however, have been used in the limited cases because most of these drugs may cause complications, such as allergy, fever or systemic bleeding. This study was performed to evaluate the influence of the Argatroban on patency and thrombosis in microvascular anastomosis when it is used for local irrigation or general administration. Materials & methods: Eight mature rabbits, weighing 2kg, were used. After exposing both femoral veins, the artificial thrombotic model was made by crushing injury using a smooth needle holder, and the transverse incision were made on femoral vein. The animals were divided into 4 groups according to Argatroban administration methods; control group (n=4), topical irrigation of lumen with saline solution; experimental group 1 (n=4), topical irrigation of lumen with Argatroban saline solution; experimental group 2 (n=4), topical irrigation of lumen with heparin followed by intravenous injection of Argatroban; experimental group 3 (n=4), topical irrigation of lumen with Argatroban followed by IV of Argatroban. Microvascular anastomosis was done with 10-0 Ethilon. The patency was evaluated by empty-and-refill test 30 minutes and 3 days after microanastomosis. The thrombus formation was examined 3 days after microanastomosis by surgical microscope. The histologic findings were also examined. Results: 1. Thirty minutes after microvascular anastomosis, the patency of all experimental groups was better than that of control group, but there was no significant difference among groups. 2. Three days after microvascular anastomosis, the patency of all experimental groups was more improved than that of control group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference among experimental groups. 3. Three days after microvascular anastomosis, the amount of thrombus in all experimental groups was less than that of control group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference among experimental groups. 4. Histologically, a lot of luminal thrombus was observed around sutured area in control group. Few luminal thrombus was observed in all experimental groups. The necrotic changes were observed on the sutured vein wall in all specimens. Conclusion: These results indicate that topical irrigation and/or intravenous administration of Argatroban is effective in improving patency and preventing thrombus formation after microvascular anastomosis.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.312-320
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• 2011

A reconstruction following a resection of malignant oral cavity tumors is one of the most difficult problems in recent oral oncology. For a better understanding of oral and maxillofacial reconstructive procedures, basic and advanced microvascular anastomosis techniques must be learned and memorized. The aim of this article was to clarify and define the microvascular anastomosis methods, such as primary closure after an arteriotomy, end to side anastomosis, end to end anastomosis, and side to side anastomosis with an artery and vein. This review article discusses the basic skills regarding microvascular anastomoses with brief schematic diagrams in the Korean language. This article is expected to be helpful, particularly to young doctors in the course of the Korean national board curriculum periods for oral and maxillofacial surgery.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.133-141
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• 2000

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to estabilish clinical guidance of microvascular anastomosis in diabetic patients. This study was performed with experimental microvascular anastomosis in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats and observed histopathologic change and endohelial healing process. Materials and Methods : 70 Sprague-Dawley rats, weighting 200 to 250grams, were used for the experiment. 35 induced diabetic rats with streptozotocin and 35 control group were selected. After end-to-end carotid artery microvascular anastomosis was done, the experimental rats were sacrificed at different time interval (1st day, 3rd day, 1st week, 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th week) for histologic examination. Light microscope observation was used in this study. Results : 1. Histopathologic changes are nearly the same healing process in two groups. But period of tissue reaction was faster in the control than diabetic group. 2. In endotheliall healing, control group started at 1 week after and completed at 4 weeks after, but diabetic group was observed partially at 4 weeks after and complete healing was not observed still at 8 weeks after. 3. In subintimal hyperplasia, control group was observed at 6 weeks after but diabetic group was observed at 6 weeks after and partially at 8 weeks after. 4. All groups showed severe inflammatory response in the early period. This respond is decreased at 2 weeks after in control group but still remained at 8 weeks after in the diabetic group. 5. In media, inflammatory response and degeneration were observed in early period. Regeneration of smooth muscle cell was observed at 1 week after in control group but 4 weeks after in the diabetic group. Conclusions : As the results of study, it could be thought that vascular regeneration process was not failured but delayed in the diabetes. It was considered that diabetes mellitus was not absolute contraindication of microvascular anastomosis.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.340-349
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• 2007

Free flap transplantation with microvascular anastomosis has been successfully performed by development of surgical technique, materials and postoperative monitoring equipments of flap. But success rate of microvascular anastomosis is influenced by various factors, and failure rate is about 5-10%. The most influential factor for success rate is surgical technique and other factors that influence failure of microvascular anastomosis are ischemic time of free flap, thrombus formation of anastomosis region and vascular spasm. In this study, vascular patency and thrombus formation in experimental micro-venous anastomosis, and endothelial repair were observed with histologic analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopic examination. The results were obtained as follows: 1. In vascular patency test in 30 minute and 7 days after micro-venous anastomosis with heparin irrigation, all of 12 anastomosis site were good vascular patency. 2. In thrombus formation in 2 weeks group(Experimental I), 2 site of 6 cases were observed thrombus, and in 4 weeks group(Experimental II), 1 site of 6 cases were observed thrombus. 3. In histologic examination, normal vein(Control Group) showed continued internal elastic lamina, well formed thick smooth muscle layer and connective tissue. The group of 2 weeks after microvenous anastomosis(Experimental I) showd locally recovered internal lamina, discontinued internal lamina, disorganized smooth muscle cells and granulation tissue around suture silk. In the group of 4 weeks after micro-venous anastomosis(Experimental II), anastomosis site showed almostly continued internal lamina, disorganized smooth muscle cells and cicartrized tissue around suture silk. 4. In scanning electron microscope examination in 2 weeks(Experimental I) after micro-venous anastomosis, mesh fibrin formation showed near to endothelial cells, and in 4 weeks after micro-venous anastomosis(EXperimental II), numerous blood cells and fibrin mesh formation was seen associated with irregular endothelial cell arrangement. 5. In transmission electron microscope examination in 2 weeks after micro-venous anastomosis(Experimental I), irregular arrangement of smooth muscle cells was seen adjacent to collagenized tissue around suture silk. In 4 weeks after micro-venous anastomosis(Experimental II), denuded venous wall composed of relatively well arranged smooth muscle cells was covered by endothelial cells, but fibroblast cells and foreign body giant cells near to suture silk was remained. From the results obtained in this study, results of good vascular patiency and anti-thrombotic effect of heparin were obtained as a local irrigation solution, and repair of venous endothelial cell was observed in 2 weeks after micro-venous anastomosis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.977-978
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• 2009

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 1999

While the conventional end-to-end anastomotic technique is accepted as 'the golden standard' for microvascular anastomosis, it is time-consuming and tedious. In an effort to offer faster and safer ways of performing microvascular anastomoses, numerous anastomotic techniques have been proposed, but further refinements in microvascular techniques are still necessary. A 'continuous suture with interrupted knot' technique was devised for faster and safer anastomosis. It has been successfully used in microanastomoses of both artery and vein for free tissue transfer. It is a combination of the interrupted suturing technique and the continuous suturing technique. First, a continuous suture is made with the size of loop decreasing in order, and then the sutures are tied individually from the first loop to the last one as in the conventional interrupted suturing technique. It was applied clinically to fourteen patients over the past ten months and found to be a highly efficient technique that satisfied our needs. This 'continuous suture with interrupted knot' technique has several advantages over other techniques : The operative time is reduced comparing conventional interrupted suture technique. By delaying the tie and with the vessel walls kept separated, the risk of through-stitch can be reduced. Tying all the sutures at one time not only speed up the procedures, but also reduced the surgeon's fatigue. In addition, it has no problem of anastomotic stenosis which is a disadvantage of continuous suture technique. This technique proved to be faster and safer, and has patency equal to that of the conventional end-to-end anastomosis. It is of great help to the surgeon in reducing operative time, especially in clinical situations when many anastomoses are required, or lengthy grafting procedures are undertaken.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.82-92
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• 1993

A comparative study was undertaken to evaluate the contact Neo-dymium : yttrium aluminum garnet(Nd:YAG) laser system for vascular anastomosis of small caliber blood vessels(diameter 0.5-1.2 mm) in the animal model. In this study 40 femoral arteries and 40 femoral veins of Sprague-Dawley rats were anastomosed by contact laser assisted microvascular anastomosis(LAMA) utilizing 3 stay sutures which were placed 120 degrees apart and the intervals welded with contact Nd:YAG laser unit, conventionally sutured anastomosis(CSA) served as controls. The time needed for vascular anastomosis, patency rate(immediate postoperative, postoperative 2nd day, postoperative 1 week, postoperative 4 weeks), gross and microscopic evaluations were compared to conventional microsurgical suture technique. The results are as follows: 1. Postoperative patency rate was 82.5% for femoral artery and 75% for femoral vein by contact LAMA technique compared to 90% and 75% by CSA technique at postoperative 4 weeks. 2. Less time-consumed for arterial anastomosis by 6 minutes 23 seconds and venous anastomosis by 8 minutes 55 seconds with contact LAMA technique compared to CSA technique. 3. Grossly almost complete healing had taken place by postoperative 1 week by contact LAMA technique. 4. Aneurysm formation was 5% for femoral artery and 15% for femoral vein by contact LAMA technique compared to 5% and 10% respectively by CSA technique. 5. Microscopically, re-endothelization was complete by postoperative 7th day by contact LAMA technique. There was less medial hypertrophy and hyperplasia and also less inflammatory response compared to CSA.