ABSTRACT
Free microvascular tissue transfer has become a key procedure for the surgical treatment of large tissue defects that requires specialized practitioners and magnification instruments. The operating microscope traditionally has filled this requirement. A study was performed focusing on the evaluation of a new magnification system, the Varioscope M5 (Life Optics, Vienna, Austria), in reconstructive procedures with a perforator free flap. The device was employed by the same operator during dissection and microvascular anastomosis of 12 anterolateral thigh perforator flaps in head and neck reconstruction. The need to operate in a different way, not provided by an operating microscope, gave us the idea of exploring an alternative to the classical visualization systems. Specific advantages such as reduced cost, freedom of movement, auto focus, minimal upkeep, and a variable range of magnification are some of the reasons that convinced us to try this new type of magnification system. Increasing interest in microsurgery magnification highlights the need for further technical developments in this field. We consider the Varioscope M5 an alternative option for surgical magnification in most free tissue transfers, especially when an operating microscope is not supplied.
KEYWORDS
Perforator free flap - magnification system - microsurgical anastomoses
REFERENCES
-
1
Allen R J, Treece P.
Deep inferior epigastric perforator flap for breast reconstruction.
Ann Plast Surg.
1994;
32
32-38
-
2
Taylor G I.
The “Gent” consensus on perforator flap terminology: preliminary definitions.
Plast Reconstr Surg.
2003;
112
1383-1387
-
3
Koshima I, Soeda S.
Inferior epigastric artery skin flaps without rectus abdominis muscle.
Br J Plast Surg.
1989;
42
645-648
-
4
Kroll S S, Rosenfield L.
Perforator based flaps for low posterior midline defects.
Plast Reconstr Surg.
1988;
81
561-566
-
5
Geddes C R, Morris S F, Neligan P C.
Perforator flaps: evolution, classification, and applications.
Ann Plast Surg.
2003;
50
90-99
-
6
Ha B, Baek C H.
Head and neck reconstruction using lateral thigh free flap: flap design.
Microsurgery.
1999;
19
157-165
-
7
Lyons A J.
Perforator flaps in head and neck surgery.
Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg.
2006;
35
199-207
-
8
McGrouther D A.
The operating microscope: a necessity or a luxury?.
Br J Plast Surg.
1980;
33(4)
453-460
-
9
Shenaq S M, Klebuk M JA, Vargo D.
Free-tissue transfer with the aid of loupe magnification: experience with 251 procedures.
Plast Reconstr Surg.
1995;
95(2)
261-269
-
10
Serletti J M, Deuber M A, Guidera P M et al..
Comparison of the operating microscope and loupes for free microvascular tissue transfer.
Plast Reconstr Surg.
1995;
95(2)
270-276
-
11
Pieptu D, Luchian S.
Loupes-only microsurgery.
Microsurgery.
2003;
23(3)
181-188
-
12
Tomaino M M.
Routine use of loupe magnification for microvascular anastomoses: at what price?.
Plast Reconstr Surg.
1996;
97(1)
248-249
Cristiano MonarcaM.D.
Via R. Bracco 3
00137 Rome, Italy
Email: cmonarca@alice.it
