Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Local thrombosis of vascular anastomosis is still the main reason of failure and necrosis of free flap grafting.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical application value of vein intubatton in monitoring and preventing vascular crisis after free flap grafting.
METHODS: 102 cases of tongue, gena and mandible carcinomas tissue defects were reconstructed by free radical forearm flaps, fibular osteocutaneous flap and iliac osteomusculocutaneous flap were divided into two groups. The patients in the experimental group (n=50) were treated with vein intubatton from distal vein of free flap by which dilute heparin saline were given as needed, intravenous drip dextran-40 were given, average 20 mL/h and lasted for 7 days. The patients in the control group (n=52) were treated with intravenous drip dextran-40 of 500 mL once a day.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total of 50 flaps in the experimental group were all survived without occurring vascular crisis, while three flaps in the control group had venous crisis, two of them were not successfully salvaged. It shows that the application of vein intubatton in free flap graft can monitor blood supply of free flap continuously, prevent venous thrombosis effectively and improve flap survival.