Jon N Burton1, Mark W El-Deiry. 1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of South Florida College of Medicine, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Traditionally, the fibula free flap has been raised by electrocautery and sharp dissection with clipping and tying of vessels. Use of the ultrasonic scalpel has been proposed to be a faster, more hemostatic, and less traumatic method of harvest. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 58 patients who underwent fibula free flap reconstruction between 2007 and 2010. The main outcome measures were blood loss, operative time, and flap harvest time. RESULTS: Use of the ultrasonic shears was not associated with a statistically significant reduction in intraoperative blood loss, operative time, or flap harvest time. However, the flap harvest time did trend toward statistical significance (p = 0.073). Use of distribution-based effect sizes demonstrated a moderate clinically important difference in favor of the ultrasonic shears for both operative time and flap harvest time. CONCLUSIONS: The use of ultrasonic shears is comparable to traditional methods of fibula free flap harvest and can be considered an alternative method of harvest.
OBJECTIVES: Traditionally, the fibula free flap has been raised by electrocautery and sharp dissection with clipping and tying of vessels. Use of the ultrasonic scalpel has been proposed to be a faster, more hemostatic, and less traumatic method of harvest. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 58 patients who underwent fibula free flap reconstruction between 2007 and 2010. The main outcome measures were blood loss, operative time, and flap harvest time. RESULTS: Use of the ultrasonic shears was not associated with a statistically significant reduction in intraoperative blood loss, operative time, or flap harvest time. However, the flap harvest time did trend toward statistical significance (p = 0.073). Use of distribution-based effect sizes demonstrated a moderate clinically important difference in favor of the ultrasonic shears for both operative time and flap harvest time. CONCLUSIONS: The use of ultrasonic shears is comparable to traditional methods of fibula free flap harvest and can be considered an alternative method of harvest.
Authors: Joshua J DeSerres; Brittany R Barber; Hadi Seikaly; Jeffrey R Harris; Daniel A O'Connell Journal: Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open Date: 2016-05-25