Microsurgery

This video provides a comprehensive overview of microsurgery. Microsurgery is fascinating and complex: it is the replantation of amputated body parts and/or the implantation of tissue from one part of the body into another. The key component of microsurgery is the microvascular anastomoses—the surgical attachment of blood vessels. One of the main causes of microsurgical failure is blood clots, which can be treated with anticoagulants (blood clot inhibitors).

This video was made by McMaster University students Zoe Komlos, Fajjar Aqeel, Tharani De Silva, and Lara Armstrong in collaboration with the Demystifying Medicine McMaster Program.

We would like to thank Dr. Kristen Davidge, a Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon at Sickkids Hospital, for introducing us to microsurgery.

Music and graphics were made with, and are owned by, Canva. The introductory gecko cartoon is made and owned by WSIB Ontario.

This video is provided for general and educational information only. Please consult your health care provider for information about your health.

Copyright McMaster University 2023.

#Microsurgery #Anastomosis #BloodVessels #Thrombosis #Replant #FreeFlap

References:
Agarwal A. (2019). The regeneration at non vascularized fibular harvest site and development of ankle valgus in donor leg-investigations done over two time points. Journal of clinical orthopaedics and trauma, 10(5), 999–1003. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcot.2019.0...

American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (n.d.). Microsurgery procedure steps. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/recons...

Esclamado, R.M. and Carroll, W.R. (1999), The pathogenesis of vascular thrombosis and its impact in microvascular surgery. Head Neck, 21: 355-362. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10376... (note DOI link contains angled brackets which YouTube does not allow, please visit the provided link to obtain the doi link)

Hanasono, M. M., & Butler, C. E. (2008). Prevention and treatment of thrombosis in microvascular surgery. Journal of reconstructive microsurgery, 24(5), 305–314. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2008-1080530

Wechter, D. G., Dugdale, D. C., & Conaway, B. (2022, April 20). Anastomosis: Medlineplus medical encyclopedia. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/....

[WSIB Ontario]. (2023, June 19). #PracticeSafeWork | Gecko [Video]. WSIB Ontario.    • #PracticeSafeWork | Gecko