Microvascular surgery using surgical loupes versus operating microscope-A single head and neck reconstructive surgeon's experience

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2024

Publication Title

Head & neck

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This prospective randomized study evaluates surgical outcomes of head and neck free tissue transfer surgery performed by a single head and neck reconstructive surgeon comparing the use of surgical loupes and the operating microscope.

METHODS: Cases using surgical loupes were performed under ×3.5 magnification, whereas cases using the microscope were done using the standard operating microscope. Patient demographics, comorbidities, operative details, surgical outcomes, and flap failure were assessed.

RESULTS: Eighty-five free tissue transfer surgeries were included. Of these, 51.8% (n = 44) free tissue transfers were performed using loupe magnification and 48.2% (n = 41) were performed using the operating microscope. Total cases requiring intraoperative microvascular anastomosis revision was 12 (15.4%)-of these, 41.7% (n = 5) were originally performed with surgical loupes and 58.3% (n = 7) were with microscope (p = 0.24).

CONCLUSION: The current study provides novel, prospective data regarding a single head and neck reconstructive surgeon's experience at a single academic institution. From this, surgical loupes or the operating microscope can be used to perform head and neck microvascular reconstruction with no significant difference in rates of free tissue transfer failure or perioperative complications or outcomes.

Medical Subject Headings

Humans; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Prospective Studies; Microsurgery; Retrospective Studies; Surgeons; Free Tissue Flaps; Head and Neck Neoplasms

PubMed ID

38205684

ePublication

ePub ahead of print

Volume

46

Issue

4

First Page

884

Last Page

888

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