J Reconstr Microsurg 1990; 6(2): 165-169
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1006818
IDEAS AND INNOVATIONS

© 1990 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Long Saphenous Vein Grafts As an Aid to Microsurgical Reconstruction of the Trunk

A. Scott Earle, Lu-Jean Feng, Roderick B. Jordan
  • Departments of Surgery, Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted for publication 1989

Publication Date:
08 March 2008 (online)

ABSTRACT

The authors describe a method of closing truncal defects using free-tissue transfer when neither local tissue or vascular access are available. The long saphenous vein is dissected free as far distally as necessary and turned up, leaving its upper drainage intact. The distal end is then anastomosed to the femoral artery to create a temporary arteriovenous loop. After placing an appropriate free flap in the defect, the A-V loop is divided and used to provide both arterial supply and venous drainage for the flap. Anatomy, technique, and representative cases in which this method has been used for closing traumatic tissue defects of the trunk are presented and discussed.