J Korean Burn Soc.  2022 Dec;25(2):50-53. 10.47955/jkbs.22.0011.

Reusing Recipient Vessel in Microsurgery for the Reconstruction of Lower Extremity Burn: A Case Report

• Kim JH
• Choi JM
• Chung CM
• Park MC

• KMID: 2536413
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.47955/jkbs.22.0011

Abstract

Selecting an appropriate recipient vessel is the first step in microsurgery for lower extremity reconstruction. As for the second attempt, finding an appropriate recipient vessel will be more challenging because the best option has already been used. In this case, we performed an anterolateral thigh free flap on the anterior tibial artery, which was previously used for microsurgery. Precise pre- and intraoperative examinations were performed to confirm the reliability of the vessel for reuse. During surgery, we revealed that anterograde arterial flow was dominant over the retrograde flow and performed anterograde arterial anastomosis. The surgical site was healed without flap necrosis. Retrograde arterial anastomosis is typically performed when the recipient vessel is reused. However, in this case, we used an anterograde arterial anastomosis. If an accurate evaluation is performed before surgery, reusing the recipient vessel by anterograde arterial anastomosis for microsurgery may be a great option.

Keyword

Reuse recipient vessel; Microsurgery; Lower extremity