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J Reconstr Microsurg 1986; 3(1): 29-32
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1007035
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1986 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Blood-Induced Arterial Segmental Spasm

Sheng-Mou Hou, Anthony V. Seaber, James R. Urbaniak
  • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
  • Dr. Hou is on the Visiting Staff from the School of Medicine, National Taiwan University, and is a Microvascular Fellow in Orthopaedic Surgery at Duke University Medical Center
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Publication History

Accepted for publication 1986

Publication Date:
08 March 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Blood-induced arterial segmental spasm has been noticed clinically, and is thought to result from contact between a main feeding artery and extravasating blood from one of its side branches. This localized spasm can persist long enough to compromise the survival of a replantation or flap transfer. A partially amputated rat hind limb model was used to investigate this phenomenon. Bleeding from a side branch was shown to cause severe vasoconstriction and reduced limb perfusion only on direct contact with the main artery. Pretreatment with heparin and minimization of endothelial damage resulted in decreased vasospasm, but aspirin pretreatment had no effect on the degree of spasm and resulting reduced blood flow. This study demonstrates the clinical importance of careful ligation of side branches to reduce vasospasm that may compromise the survival of a replanted part or tissue flap.