Summary
Although relatively young as a surgical discipline, microsurgery has become a critical part of the plastic and reconstructive surgeon's armamentarium over the last century. Familiarity with basic microsurgical instrumentation and technique, a sound understanding of indications for free tissue transfer, and judicious flap selection are paramount. Thoughtful operative planning and meticulous execution are essential to successful microsurgery. Careful postoperative flap monitoring as well as selective use of pharmacologic adjuncts, such as thrombolytics, heparin, aspirin, and dextran helps to ensure good outcomes. When flap viability is uncertain, reoperation and flap revision are required. Now routinely performed in most major medical centers, microsurgery has an exciting future due to the increasing demand and growing list of indications for these complex interventions.
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Djohan, R.S., Gage, E., Bernard, S.L. (2010). Microsurgical Techniques. In: Siemionow, M.Z., Eisenmann-Klein, M. (eds) Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Springer Specialist Surgery Series. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-513-0_8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-513-0_8
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