Autologous Arteriovenous Loop Graft Creation for Head and Neck Microsurgical Reconstruction: A Pictorial Essay.

Abstract

The arteriovenous (AV) loop is a versatile and reliable technique for establishing vascular access in head and neck free tissue reconstruction. This method is particularly advantageous in complex cases where conventional vascular access may be challenging. In this pictorial essay, we present the pre-operative planning and patient selection factors for creating AV loops, and artist-illustrated drawings detailing our intraoperative technique. This work provides the surgeon a guide to perform and understand the procedure of harvesting a vein graft, creating a loop, and appropriately positioning it in preparation for microsurgical repair. The AV loop technique yields a reliable conduit, and its flexibility allows for complex free-flap reconstructions in challenging scenarios where vessels are not locally available or in situations where vessel length is inadequate.