DOI: 10.1097/01.sap.0000228310.24408.59

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PMID: 16862014

Issn Print: 0148-7043

Publication Date: 2006/08/01


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A Tip for Facilitating Microsurgical Anastomosis

M Alam; S H. A. Shah; S M. Carroll

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Excerpt

Microsurgical techniques have been used to perform a variety of plastic surgical operations. Microsurgical anastomosis for microvascular or microneural techniques requires the shortest possible operating time. A technique to facilitate the placement of a microneedle port close to the operating area is described.
The most commonly used sutures for microanastomosis, Ethilon (Ethicon, Inc, Somerville, NJ) size 8/0 to 10/0 black/undyed sutures, are available in a range of gauge sizes and lengths, attached to stainless steel needles of varying types and sizes. For all sizes of needles, the carrier is of the same size, 10 × 20 mm.
A 12 × 100-mm Steri-strip is cut into half the length and mounted on the back of the needle carrier after being rolled onto itself (Fig. 1). The needle carrier is then secured close to the operative field, where it is available for frequent use by the microsurgeon, avoiding the transfer between the hands.
The Steri-strip mat is inexpensive, can be quickly fashioned, and functions with exceptional reliability.
This simple technique considerably reduces the time of microanastomosis and does away with the need for an exchange of needles between the surgeon and both a skilled assistant and a nurse.
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