Microvascular Research

Pierre B. Saadeh, MD
Alexes Hazen, MD
Jamie P. Levine, MD
John W. Siebert, MD
Mihye Choi, MD
Mark D. DeLacure MD
Nolan S. Karp, MD

Thevast diversity of the microsurgery experience at the hospitals servedby the IRPS has provided fertile ground for leading edge clinicalresearch. A central relational database tracks all microsurgicalactivity facilitating intra and inter-institutional outcomes analysisand provides a unique opportunity to study, contrast, and comparean unmatched range of demographic patterns, surgical pathologies,and reconstructive efforts. While the database tracks data since1982, the latest iteration of the database, which came online inspring 2007, adds a photo documentation feature further facilitatingclinical research efforts.

A distinct feature of the database is the revascularization/replantationrecord which provides ample opportunity for study of the replantationcenter of the 9 million person New York City catchment region.

Additionally, pioneering efforts in 3-Dimentional scanning ofthe breast are redefining preoperative planning in microsurgicalbreast reconstruction.

Recent and ongoing projects reflect the variety of the microsurgicalexperience and include: Defining the role of free soft tissue reconstructionof craniofacial malformations. Evaluating the effects of stressshielding on rigid fixation of free fibula reconstruction of themandible. Improving functional outcomes in post ablative head andneck reconstruction. Comparing fixation methods in lower extremitysalvage with free tissue transfer. Reviewing the subway amputationexperience. Analyzing the thumb replantation experience.