KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The study aimed to propose and compare an ETS micro-anastomosis method using coupling devices with conventional suture techniques for head and neck reconstruction.
- The study concluded that ETS venous anastomosis with a coupling device is efficient, safe, and straightforward for head and neck reconstruction.
The rising trend of coupling devices in microvascular anastomosis excludes their use in end-to-side (ETS) anastomosis for head and neck cancer due to the absence of a standardized approach.
Seong Ae Kim and his team spearheaded the study that aimed to introduce and evaluate a streamlined ETS micro-anastomosis technique utilizing coupling devices for head and neck reconstruction, comparing it with traditional suturing.
The study retrospectively reviewed 30 consecutive cases (involving 43 anastomoses) of ETS anastomosis in head and neck reconstruction from 2018 to 2022. They assessed patient characteristics, operative specifics, and anastomosis duration. They made a cross-incision in the recipient’s vessel for coupling device usage to create vascular flaps. These flaps were then pulled through the ring to secure the intact vessel lining, with all other procedures mirroring those of traditional anastomosis.
The mean anastomosis time was 12.81 minutes (range: 6.7-24.87) for the suture method and 4.96 minutes (range: 2.02-9.4) for the coupling device, demonstrating a statistically significant difference (P-value < .00005). Neither method resulted in venous insufficiency or flap failure.
The study concluded that utilizing the coupling device for ETS venous anastomosis is a convenient, secure, and time-efficient approach for head and neck reconstruction. No funding information was available.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38414070/
Kim SA, Kim J, Lee CR, et al. (2024) “Comparison of a coupling system and the suture method in end-to-side microvascular anastomosis in head and neck reconstruction.” Microsurgery. 2024 Mar;44(3):e31160. doi: 10.1002/micr.31160.
