One Stage Versus Two-Stage Arteriovenous Loop Reconstructions – An Experience on 103 Cases from a Single Center

Background: A paucity of adequate recipient vessels in microsurgical reconstructions may be managed by the placement of arteriovenous loops (AVL). The optimal time for flap anastomosis to an AVL remains controversial. Whether perforator flaps and axially vascularized muscle or fasciocutaneous flaps lead to comparable outcomes in conjunction with AVL has not been investigated. Methods: Medical records from 103 patients undergoing AVL reconstructions (76 one-stage, 27 two-stage) between 2007 and 2017 were reviewed. Postoperative complications and outcomes were compared between one-stage (OSAVR) and two-stage AV loop reconstructions (TSAVR) as well as different types of free flaps. Results: Rates of flap thrombosis, major wound complications, and flap failure did not differ significantly between OSAVR and TSAVR (14.47%vs.11.11%, p=1.00; 30.26%vs.25.93%, p=0.67; 10.53%vs.7.41%, p=1.00). For TSAVR, the time interval between AVL placement and flap anastomosis was a predictor for thrombotic events (odds ratio: 1.31, p

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