J Reconstr Microsurg 2013; 29(04): 249-254
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1331149
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Enhancement of Venous Drainage with Vein Stripper for Reversed Pedicled Neurocutaneous Flaps

Erhan Sonmez
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ataturk Research and Training Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
,
Özlem Karataş Silistireli
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ataturk Research and Training Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
,
Önder Karaaslan
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ataturk Research and Training Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
,
Haldun Onuralp Kamburoğlu
2   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
,
Tunc Safak
2   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

21 July 2012

07 September 2012

Publication Date:
17 January 2013 (online)

Abstract

The flaps based on the vascular axis of superficial sensitive cutaneous nerves had gained increased popularity in reconstructive surgery because of such major advantages as preservation of major extremity arteries and avoidance of microsurgical procedures. However, postoperative venous congestion resulting in partial or total necrosis is still a common problem for these flaps. The aim of the current study is to introduce a new method for reducing the postoperative venous congestion of neural island flap with the results of reconstruction of the soft tissue defects of foot and ankle. This method was used to treat 19 patients with various chronic soft tissue defects of the foot and ankle between 2011 and 2012. We observed that the novel method presented in this report enables effective venous drainage, solving the postoperative venous congestion problem of these flaps.

 
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