Intra-abdominal pressure increases peri-operatively in patients undergoing deep inferior epigastric perforator flap reconstruction: A prospective study linking high intra-abdominal pressure to non-fatal lung embolism within one patient.

BACKGROUND: The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is the gold standard for autologous breast reconstruction. The procedure and peri-operative period are associated with the risk of severe post-operative complications, like venous thromboembolic events (VTE) and lung embolism. Whether the intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) increases after the closure of the abdominal defect, thereby potentially affecting the venous backflow and the risk of VTE, is currently not known. AIM: The primary aim is to test if the closure of the abdominal donor site increases the IAP in women undergoing secondary DIEP flap breast reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHOD: By using a Unometer, we measured the intravesical pressure as a surrogate marker for the IAP, at baseline, immediately after, and 24 h after abdominal skin closure, for 13 patients. RESULTS: The mean IAP increased from 6.1 mmHg (95% CI 4.6-7.7) at baseline to 9.0 mmHg (95% CI 8.0-10.0) immediately after skin closure [mean diff. 2.9 (95% CI 1.0-4.8) (p = 0.007)] and further up to 11.7 mmHg (95% CI 9.0-14.5) 24 h after closure [mean diff. 5.3 (95% CI 1.4-9.1) (p = 0.012)]. We found that IAP varies among the patients, regardless of the tightness of abdominal closure or rectus plication (n = 3). Immediately after closure, none of the isolated patients showed abnormal levels of IAP (>12 mmHg), while eight out of 12 isolated patients (67%) showed IAP levels above the normal range after 24 h. One patient developed a non-fatal lung embolism. CONCLUSION: The mean IAP increases significantly over the post-operative period after DIEP flap reconstruction, although abnormal IAP values are only seen 24 h after the closure of the skin.

[Microsurgery in plastic surgery].

The most common indication for free flap surgery is breast reconstruction. Deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps are safe, quick and provide excellent cosmetic results. The reconstruction in head and neck cancer patients is more complex. The aims are preservation of function and appearance. Free flaps are important in traumatology and the timing of intervention can make the difference between amputation and extremity conserving treatment. Due to the improvement in surgical technique failure rates as low as 2% can be seen. Post-operative monitoring is well-established in all microsurgical centres.

[Microsurgery in reanimation, lymphoedema and hand surgery].

Microsurgery is defined as surgery performed with the aid of ocular magnification. In Denmark, this is undertaken by four units. This review describes the history of microsurgery which evolved during the 1960s. Microsurgery in hand surgery is primarily replantation and revascularisation but also peripheral nerve surgery as well as brachial plexus surgery. Lymphoedema is being treated with super microsurgery on an experimental basis. Dynamic reconstruction of facial palsy is performed in a two-stage operation with cross-over nerve graft and a free microvascular muscle flap, typically gracilis.

Pure muscle transfers can be monitored by use of microdialysis.

Most of the methods available for postoperative monitoring of free transfers depend on an accessible skin island. Monitoring of muscle transfers without skin islands represents a challenge. The aim of this study was to describe the experiences after clinical monitoring of free muscle transfers by the use of microdialysis. The charts of 75 free muscle transfers monitored with microdialysis were evaluated with special emphasis on whether or not complications were predicted by the monitoring system. In 16 of the 75 cases, an ischemic trend was seen. In five of these cases, the ischemic trend was reversed without surgical revascularization. In the remaining 11 cases (14.7%), further ischemic trends were seen, and surgical revision with revascularization was needed for transfer salvage. Six of the 11 transfers were subsequently saved. None of the remaining five transfers were lost due to neglected ischemia. The microdialysis system did not exhibit any negative or positive false alarms. No damage to the muscle flap was experienced while performing the monitoring procedures. Microdialysis is a reliable and safe monitoring method for surveillance of free muscle transfers.