ISSN:
1435-0130
Keywords:
Key words Congestion
;
Microsurgery
;
Exsanguination
;
Leeches
;
Heparin
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract An important and broad area of plastic surgery entails the cover of defects by pedicled or free flaps and the revascularisation of amputated parts of the body. Failure of perfusion in flaps and replants, due to venous congestion, presents a problem even to the most experienced surgeon. Many bleeding techniques have been used to relieve venous congestion after replantation and transplantation. The best known bleeding technique is probably the use of the medicinal leech. However, the use of leeches may present problems such as infection and significant blood loss. Instead, we advocate the use of heparin soaked gauzes on an intentionally de-epithelialized part of the congested flap. Over the last 12 months, we successfully applied this method in five cases. A full report on one of these cases is provided.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002380050246
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