ORLANDO, FL-The use of an end-to-side coupling device for anastomosis appears to successfully work in challenging cases involving head and neck reconstruction following resection of cancer, researchers reported here at the 111th annual meeting of the Triological Society.
Although coupling devices to make anastomosis more efficient have been on the medical scene for more than 40 years, most of the use of these devices has been for end-to-end anastomosis procedures.
This is the largest reported series of end-to-side venous anastomoses with an anastomotic coupling device, said Natalya Chernichenko, MD, a resident in surgical otolaryngology at the Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, CT.
The study demonstrates the feasibility and efficacy of the technique in head and neck reconstruction, she said in her oral report during the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting.
Microvascular free tissue transfers have become the mainstream of reconstruction following resection of head and neck tumors, she said. Despite numerous refinements, microvascular anastomosis is the most challenging aspect of the procedure.
She noted that the anastomotic coupling device was first devised in 1962 (Hakayama) and was further then modified in 1986 (Ostrup and Berggren). Its use in end-to-end venous anastomosis is generally accepted, Dr. Chernichenko said.
She said that use of end-to-side anastomosis overcomes vessel size discrepancy, allows for two or more anastomoses, and may avoid the use of a respiratory venous pump system. Potential drawbacks internal jugular vein thrombosis following neck dissection, and this, of course, may interfere with flap survival, she said.
Several successful reports using sutured anastomoses in end-to-side anastomosis have been reported in which suturing has been employed to accomplish the connection of the blood vessels. She noted one case series of 37 patients in which the coupling device was used. The researchers in that study noted that 33 of the 37 attempts were successful. However, the study also noted that a thick and friable vessel wall is a relative contraindication.
End-to-Side Anastomosis Study
Dr. Chernichenko said that the objective of her study was to demonstrate the success rate of using a coupling device in end-to-side venous anastomoses. We performed a retrospective review series of consecutive cases of microvascular tissue transfers performed at our institution. Flap survival and incidence of thrombosis of venous end-to-side anastomosis were recorded, she noted.
The study included 67 men and 29 women whose average age was 65, with a range from 43 years to 92 years of age. Squamous cell carcinoma was the major indication for surgery.
A radial forearm flap was used in 76 procedures (79%), whereas a fibular flap was used in 17 operations (18%). In three patients the surgeons utilized a rectus abdominis flap (3%). The Unilink coupling device was used in this case series.
Overall, 134 patients in the series underwent 137 free flap procedures. Surgeons performed 173 end-to-side anastomoses in 96 patients. In 77 patients, doctors performed both anastomoses using the end-to-side procedure. In 17 patients, surgeons performed one end-to-side and one end-to-end anastomosis. In two patients one venous anastomosis was performed in end-to-side fashion.
We observed a 99% free flap survival rate, Dr. Chernichenko said. Three complications occurred in the series, she said, but in two cases doctors were able to prevent loss of the flap, resulting in a total of only one flap failure. The other cases involved vascular insufficiency-related complications. None of the anastomoses were converted to the suture technique, she said.
In the case that failed, 2.5 mm end-to-end anastomosis was performed using a radial free flap. A 3.0 mm end-to-side anastomosis was also performed. The flap was removed on postoperative day 20. Both venous anastomoses were clotted, she said.
Implications of the Study
This coupler has been in service for decades, but it was designed as an end-to-end device, said Mark C. Weissler, MD, the J.P. Riddle Distinguished Professor of Otolaryngology at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Dr. Chernichenko has shown that you can use it as an end-to-side device and has had wonderful results with it, said Dr. Weissler, who chaired the session at the Triological Society meeting. This is useful information. A lot of people do the end-to-side approach, but they do not use the coupler.
Microvascular free tissue transfers have become the mainstream of reconstruction following resection of head and neck tumors. Despite numerous refinements, microvascular anastomosis is the most challenging aspect of the procedure.-Natalya Chernichenko, MD
Dr. Weissler, who is also Chair of the UNC Clinical Cancer Advisory Committee and a clinical researcher at the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, noted, Some plastic surgeons are so facile that they may not need the coupler. But I think most surgeons could use it to save time. Most would use the coupler for the vein and sew the artery.
©2008 The Triological Society